Blog Archives

Huge fish found in West Bromwich canal

21/9/2016

A rare eel has been discovered in a waterway of a Black Country canal – after making an epic 4,000 mile journey across the Atlantic Ocean from Bermuda.
The creature, thought to be more than 20 years old, was discovered

by the Canal and River Trust charity in a waterway near West Bromwich following a canal clean-up.

Nearly 200lb of fish recently had to be rescued from the waterway following a ‘pollution incident’ along the nearby Ridgacre Branch Canal.

The eel was found by James Kirk, a staff member of MEM Fisheries, which was contracted out by the Canal River Trust to rescue the fish.

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‘Angling Alert’ scheme launched to cut fishing crime

8/9/2016

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A cutting-edge initiative to help tackle fisheries related crime has been launched by the Angling Trust in partnership with the Environment Agency.
‘Angling Alert’ is a web-based communication tool that will provide

anglers and the wider public with information on fisheries crime quickly – by text or email.

Funded by rod licence income, Angling Alert signals a major step forward in crime prevention as, for the first time, the Angling Trust’s Fisheries Enforcement Support Service, the Environment Agency, police, National Wildlife Crime Unit and other partners can share relevant information with the public in one place.

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Lakes to become fishing pools in Great Wyrley

6/9/2016

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Budding fishermen in South Staffordshire may have a new place to hook a fish after the council approved plans to transform lakes on Green Belt land. The site, just off Strawberry Lane in Great Wryley, is part of a disused

canal line, which is now a nature reserve containing several ponds.

A recent application to South Staffordshire council proposed that the use of the site be changed to become three recreational fishing lakes. The site spans 0.7 hectares, with a public footpath running through.

A total of 25 fishing pegs are to be installed in the change, with some already in situ. The access to the lake will remain along Strawberry Lane, as will the existing car park on Old Landywood Lane which holds approximately eight cars. However, further parking and and turning areas must be proposed and approved before the full development of the site can take place.

The council, who are the official owners of the land, approved planning permission last week.

In a document approving the application, the council states: "The proposal represents an acceptable form of development within the Green Belt."

The news has been welcomed by Councillor Ray Perry, Conservative district councillor for Great Wyrley Landywood. He said: "We're very protective over our Green Belt land. But what this development does is preserve the land as well as make it useful and enjoyable for people in the area. I'm particularly delighted as it may mean that more young people will get involved in fishing and rather than having them sit inside on computer games, they'll be able to come outside and experience what fishing is all about. I'm absolutely thrilled, I think it's a great idea."

Now the applicant has three years to complete the work.

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Net closes on criminals

1/9/2016

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The bailiffs are coming - anyone fishing illegally can expect to be prosecuted whether they are taking fish to eat or putting them back carefully. Last year, the Environment Agency checked

over 62,000 rod licences and prosecuted more than 1,900 anglers for rod and line offences resulting in fines and costs in excess of £500,000.

The war against illegal fishing is making headlines again in mainstream media after a man was convicted of using long-lines on a canal, and a day ticket fishery was plundered by poachers.

Jen Mun Lin, of Sparkhill, Birmingham, pleaded guilty at Cheltenham Magistrates Court to using an illegal method on the Gloucester Canal, after he was observed by an Environment Agency fisheries enforcement officer pulling set fishing lines from the water. Lin was made the subject of a two-year conditional discharge, and ordered to pay £235 in costs, along with a £15 victim surcharge.

Stuart Gamble, from the Environment Agency, said: “The use of set lines is a particularly barbaric poaching method that can cause significant suffering to fish and animals.

“The vast majority of fish will either die or will be killed by the poacher. This takes away fish stocks that would otherwise be enjoyed by legitimate anglers.

“We track criminals on an intelligence-led basis using information gathered by ourselves, partner organisations and reports from the public.”

After latest incidents of fish theft, the EA urged anyone to report illegal fishing as quickly as possible by calling their incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.

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Huge fish found in West Bromwich canal

‘Angling Alert’ scheme launched to cut fishing crime

Lakes to become fishing pools in Great Wyrley

Net closes on criminals

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