Post by spooner on Jan 27, 2013 12:36:55 GMT
Finally the EA act on information....
On Sunday, two Pike Angler's Club members discovered a gill net in the river Mersey. The net contained pike to 9lbs, carp to 18lbs, bream to 5lbs and some other fish. They released the fish then contacted the EA who sent a warden out who took the net away.
Next morning they contacted the head of fisheries in the northwest and acquainted them with the situation. The EA acted swiftly and decisively sending a team out in a boat who discovered more nets, also full of fish, most of which were released alive. They then called in reinforcements from other regions and mounted a two-night surveillance operation (in sub-zero temperatures) which resulted in them making arrests.
The EA have released the following statement;
"Acting on good intelligence regarding the presence of illegal nets on the River Mersey. The Environment Agency Fisheries and Biodiversity teams have over the last few days undertaken an enforcement operation to gather further evidence.
As a result of the operation two arrests have been made and a casefile will now be prepared for consideration by our legal team.
Due to the on going development of the case we are unable to share any more information at this time. The support of the local angling community in this operation has however been exceptional and their support is much appreciated."
This is a great result for the PAC, for the EA and for the two members who acted in exactly the correct manner. Let's hope the EA are going to be able to make the charges stick and that this sends a message out to any other prospective fish thieves.
On Sunday, two Pike Angler's Club members discovered a gill net in the river Mersey. The net contained pike to 9lbs, carp to 18lbs, bream to 5lbs and some other fish. They released the fish then contacted the EA who sent a warden out who took the net away.
Next morning they contacted the head of fisheries in the northwest and acquainted them with the situation. The EA acted swiftly and decisively sending a team out in a boat who discovered more nets, also full of fish, most of which were released alive. They then called in reinforcements from other regions and mounted a two-night surveillance operation (in sub-zero temperatures) which resulted in them making arrests.
The EA have released the following statement;
"Acting on good intelligence regarding the presence of illegal nets on the River Mersey. The Environment Agency Fisheries and Biodiversity teams have over the last few days undertaken an enforcement operation to gather further evidence.
As a result of the operation two arrests have been made and a casefile will now be prepared for consideration by our legal team.
Due to the on going development of the case we are unable to share any more information at this time. The support of the local angling community in this operation has however been exceptional and their support is much appreciated."
This is a great result for the PAC, for the EA and for the two members who acted in exactly the correct manner. Let's hope the EA are going to be able to make the charges stick and that this sends a message out to any other prospective fish thieves.
