Post by highplains on Feb 7, 2007 22:33:20 GMT
Copy of part of my post on Hoppy's forum. Relates to England and Wales - you in Scotland are lucky, you have bailiffs
Will you please all note that there is no perceived problem because the poaching is not reported.
I believe the EAW are, at last, taking the 0800 number seriously and redirecting calls to a duty enforcement officer who will know what you are talking about and hopefully know the area you are talking about.
You will all be well aware that I have made my views on the EA's enforcement policy painfully obvious. However I would urge you all to start to use the 0800 number as soon as you become aware of any incidents.
I am also hopeful that the EAW are to revise their website to include information for the general public on what constitutes illegal activity on our rivers and in our estuaries and coastal waters. they have implied they might. We shall see.
Below is a paper we issue to all our members at the start of the season which provides some sound advice. You may also like to know that this was a joint production between Kieth Williams ex EAW and a certain Peter Charleston representing the police. Thanks to them both.
If you wish to have a word document copy of the following PM me and I will forward to a copy.
SIDE ONE
STOPPING POACHING IN THE VALE OF CLWYD
A QUICK GUIDE
Please read the full advice overleaf and keep a record of the details. PLEASE put the telephone numbers in your mobile phone NOW!
For some time now anglers have been expressing their concerns at the level of poaching on our rivers. The police are aware of the problem as are the Environment Agency, but they can do nothing without your assistance.
Please, please take an active part in protecting your fishing.
It is no good reporting an incident that happened yesterday, last week or last month!! Report it as soon as you become aware - in the way explained overleaf.
For your own safety it is well worth investing in a mobile phone, it enables you to contact others for help should you get into difficulties on the river or should you find somebody else on the riverbank in need of urgent help.
Please read the guidance notes overleaf and save the following numbers in your mobile phone memory.
Reporting by day: 0800 807060. Ask to be put through to Cardiff
Reporting by night: 0845 600 100 2 Police English language
Reporting by night: 0845 600 100 1 Police Welsh language
The police will not object to your using the 999 service if you experience any difficulties with the above.
Every fish taken illegally is lost to you as a legal angler and lost from the breeding stock.
Protect our rivers and protect the fish in them. It’s up to you!
SIDE TWO
SUSPICION OF POACHING.
ADVICE FOR ANGLERS
(Provided by the Environment Agency and Police)
The Poaching of rivers is a criminal offence that affects your standards of sport immediately and in the future. In order that offenders can be effectively identified and dealt with by the Environment Agency Fisheries Enforcement Officers, there are certain actions that members can take to assist in the apprehension and detection of poaching. Please follow the advice below and act appropriately at the time should you observe poaching taking place!
Take the following course of action at the time: do not delay.
1.DO NOT approach an incident and avoid confrontation – Observe and be as discrete as possible!
2.Note what the poachers are doing if possible – is he or are they using nets, gaffs etc.
3.Make a note of any vehicle(s), where parked, its registration number and colour.
4.Note how many persons you believe may be involved try you remember and later give a physical description, clothing warn etc.
5.Decide what the closest location is i.e. the nearest bridge or landmark.
6.Note which bank of the river they are on, are they walking upstream or downstream.
7.Have you seen any fish being taken, have they been concealed for later.
8.If you are with an angling partner and safety considerations allow, leave him or her to observe while you contact the Agency IMMEDIATELY on the HOTLINE number 0800 807060 which is shown on your rod licence and in the membership book and contact the Welsh Region Control room at Cardiff.
Report your information and ask that a Fisheries Enforcement Officer contact you by return of a phone call - Officers are on 24hr call.
Please remember: any Information received will be treated in the strictest confidence at all times
Alternatively you can contact North Wales Police and report the matter to them on 999.
Be available to officers attending your call and provide clear directions as to where you can safely meet them.
Thank you for your help and co-operation for the future.
NOTE: You may wish to consider taking a mobile phone with you on your fishing trips, they can be a real help if you are ever in need of assistance, and they are a great help to report incidents, if you see poachers. If you have a mobile phone: put the hotline number into the memory now!
Reporting incidents days after they happen is not only useless but very frustrating to those trying to stop the poachers. We keep complaining, and in my view rightly so!! But we must try to do our bit to help.
Climbing off soap box!
Tight lines
Highplains
Will you please all note that there is no perceived problem because the poaching is not reported.
I believe the EAW are, at last, taking the 0800 number seriously and redirecting calls to a duty enforcement officer who will know what you are talking about and hopefully know the area you are talking about.
You will all be well aware that I have made my views on the EA's enforcement policy painfully obvious. However I would urge you all to start to use the 0800 number as soon as you become aware of any incidents.
I am also hopeful that the EAW are to revise their website to include information for the general public on what constitutes illegal activity on our rivers and in our estuaries and coastal waters. they have implied they might. We shall see.
Below is a paper we issue to all our members at the start of the season which provides some sound advice. You may also like to know that this was a joint production between Kieth Williams ex EAW and a certain Peter Charleston representing the police. Thanks to them both.
If you wish to have a word document copy of the following PM me and I will forward to a copy.
SIDE ONE
STOPPING POACHING IN THE VALE OF CLWYD
A QUICK GUIDE
Please read the full advice overleaf and keep a record of the details. PLEASE put the telephone numbers in your mobile phone NOW!
For some time now anglers have been expressing their concerns at the level of poaching on our rivers. The police are aware of the problem as are the Environment Agency, but they can do nothing without your assistance.
Please, please take an active part in protecting your fishing.
It is no good reporting an incident that happened yesterday, last week or last month!! Report it as soon as you become aware - in the way explained overleaf.
For your own safety it is well worth investing in a mobile phone, it enables you to contact others for help should you get into difficulties on the river or should you find somebody else on the riverbank in need of urgent help.
Please read the guidance notes overleaf and save the following numbers in your mobile phone memory.
Reporting by day: 0800 807060. Ask to be put through to Cardiff
Reporting by night: 0845 600 100 2 Police English language
Reporting by night: 0845 600 100 1 Police Welsh language
The police will not object to your using the 999 service if you experience any difficulties with the above.
Every fish taken illegally is lost to you as a legal angler and lost from the breeding stock.
Protect our rivers and protect the fish in them. It’s up to you!
SIDE TWO
SUSPICION OF POACHING.
ADVICE FOR ANGLERS
(Provided by the Environment Agency and Police)
The Poaching of rivers is a criminal offence that affects your standards of sport immediately and in the future. In order that offenders can be effectively identified and dealt with by the Environment Agency Fisheries Enforcement Officers, there are certain actions that members can take to assist in the apprehension and detection of poaching. Please follow the advice below and act appropriately at the time should you observe poaching taking place!
Take the following course of action at the time: do not delay.
1.DO NOT approach an incident and avoid confrontation – Observe and be as discrete as possible!
2.Note what the poachers are doing if possible – is he or are they using nets, gaffs etc.
3.Make a note of any vehicle(s), where parked, its registration number and colour.
4.Note how many persons you believe may be involved try you remember and later give a physical description, clothing warn etc.
5.Decide what the closest location is i.e. the nearest bridge or landmark.
6.Note which bank of the river they are on, are they walking upstream or downstream.
7.Have you seen any fish being taken, have they been concealed for later.
8.If you are with an angling partner and safety considerations allow, leave him or her to observe while you contact the Agency IMMEDIATELY on the HOTLINE number 0800 807060 which is shown on your rod licence and in the membership book and contact the Welsh Region Control room at Cardiff.
Report your information and ask that a Fisheries Enforcement Officer contact you by return of a phone call - Officers are on 24hr call.
Please remember: any Information received will be treated in the strictest confidence at all times
Alternatively you can contact North Wales Police and report the matter to them on 999.
Be available to officers attending your call and provide clear directions as to where you can safely meet them.
Thank you for your help and co-operation for the future.
NOTE: You may wish to consider taking a mobile phone with you on your fishing trips, they can be a real help if you are ever in need of assistance, and they are a great help to report incidents, if you see poachers. If you have a mobile phone: put the hotline number into the memory now!
Reporting incidents days after they happen is not only useless but very frustrating to those trying to stop the poachers. We keep complaining, and in my view rightly so!! But we must try to do our bit to help.
Climbing off soap box!
Tight lines
Highplains