Blackcountryfishing
  • Home
  • Where to Fish
  • Species
  • Baits
  • Watercraft
  • Tackle Shops
  • Local Canal Guide
  • Angling Clubs and Organisations
  • Licence and Permits
  • Local Match Results
  • Angling News
  • Angling Events
  • Online Videos
  • A Life In Angling
  • Resource Links
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

POLICE TURN TO DRONES TO BATTLE POACHERS

30/10/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Building Bridges Project Manager Janusz Kansik (right) has given his full support to the idea
Police drones are being trialled in the fight against illegal activity on Britain’s rivers.
The remote-controlled flying cameras were demonstrated by Wiltshire Police Rural Crime Unit to officials from the Angling Trust and Voluntary Bailiff Service recently.
Now, the Trust’s Building Bridges Project Manager Janusz Kansik has given his full support to the idea. 

“Police regularly use drones in cases where people are missing, and they’re very cost-effective,” he said. “A helicopter could cost up to a few thousand pounds to deploy, whereas putting up a drone only requires a pilot and a few charged batteries.

“Drones clearly have great advantages, which the Environment Agency may consider beneficial to fisheries enforcement. 

“Currently, the Voluntary Bailiff Service does not use drones, but it has been very interesting to watch the police do so and to be made aware of the massive potential of this technology.

“This is the first time the Rural Crime Team have used a drone for fisheries enforcement, although it is too early at this stage to say if they would be used regularly.”

The larger of the two drones cost in the region of £12,000. It is fitted with state-of-the-art equipment including a thermovision camera which enables activity to be recorded at night.

The device is manoeuvred by means of a remote control with a built-in monitor that relays back all footage recorded by the cameras.
​
Although the drones are currently only being trialled by the police, it is hoped that the Environment Agency is not far from getting on board with its own similar scheme.
Source: Anglers Mail
0 Comments

Fish poachers targeted as part of Wildlife and Rural Crime Week

23/10/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Volunteer bailiffs from West Midlands Angling Trust also joined police and the Environment Agency on the operation.
On Sunday 6 October, officers from West Mercia Police joined officers from the Environment Agency as part of National Wildlife and Rural Crime Week to target people fishing illegally at the borough’s lakes. Anyone wishing to fish at the sites is required to hold a fishing license and throughout the day the anti-fish poaching saw more
than 15 sites checked, 80 licences were checked with the vast majority, 76 in total, in order.

Four people will now be pursued by the Environment Agency.

Anyone found fishing in breach of a license could face a fine of up to £2,500. Volunteer bailiffs from West Midlands Angling Trust also joined police and the Environment Agency on the operation.
​

​Telford’s Rural and Business Officer from West Mercia Police, Mark Blackstock, said: “Fish poaching can have a knock on effect and wider consequences which is why it is important we work with our partner agencies to pursue those involved.

However, this operation also gave us the opportunity to speak to those fishing legally about the role they can play to help us tackle wildlife and rural crime. “Our local communities really are our eyes and ears and information we receive from them is absolutely crucial, and when someone is fishing they may see something that seems out of the ordinary or suspicious, if they do we would encourage them to let us know as it all helps us to build a picture.”

David Hudson, Environment Manager at the Environment agency, said: “We appreciate the support of our partners and we hope this will provide a deterrent to anyone who is thinking of fishing without a licence. “All of the money raised from fishing licence sales is used to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries, benefitting anglers.
​
For those caught cheating the system, we will always look to prosecute.”
0 Comments

EA show that the number of prosecutions for rod licence offences has dropped.

20/10/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Figures released by the Environment Agency show that the number of prosecutions for rod licence offences has dropped significantly. The total number of prosecutions for the 2018/2019 season was 1,691 whereas in 2017/2018 the figure was 2,257, 
representing a reduction of 25.1 per cent. For both seasons, the EA carried out roughly the same number of licence inspections, of around 65,000 anglers nationwide. Overall fines paid by anglers has also reduced, but by a lesser amount of 15.1 per cent, from £323,033 down to £274,535. All of this money goes to the Treasury, not the EA, this meant the average fine went up from £143.1 in the 2017/2018 period to £162.3 in the season after. The amounts do not include court costs and victim surcharges, which normally get added on and can double the original fine.

An EA spokesperson said: "People who don't buy a licence are not only cheating other anglers and the future of the sport, but run the risk of a criminal conviction and a fine. "There's no excuse —a fishing licence costs just £30 for a whole year, and you can buy it online at GOV.UK. "We track criminals on an intelligence-led basis using information gathered by ourselves, the Police and other partners, and reports from the public. "We urge anyone to report illegal fishing as quickly as possible by calling our incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60," he concluded.

​Dilip Sarkar, head of enforcement at the Angling Trust, commented: "The reduction in prosecutions is very good news, and shows that the various measures we have been taking are working.
​
"The whole picture is a complex one — and for a start we must take into account that there are fewer rod licences sold, meaning that fewer people are going fishing. That is a factor we cannot ignore. "Our overall strategy is based on the following: empowering and upskilling the angling community; raising awareness throughout the Police service and criminal justice system (thereby increasing intelligence-sharing, partnership-working and the administration of more appropriate sentences); providing accurate and current information, free professional training and acting as a 'bridge' between the angling community and Police; raising awareness of the better coordinated approach to fisheries enforcement; and educating and integrating migrant anglers.

"This is based upon sound policing experience and theory. It works. Confidence, and with it intelligence, has been increased, awareness has been raised and with it the fear of detection. "I also think that more anglers are now aware, owing to better PR, of the benefits brought by rod licence income, and how important that is to angling: Dilip concluded.
0 Comments

HOW POACHING BY EASTERN EUROPEAN ANGLERS IS BEING TACKLED

17/10/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Building Bridges leader Janusz Kansik (right) and VBS Area Co-ordinator Roger Simpson (left) at Carney Pools, near Stafford, which was recently the site of a poaching incident.
The Angling Trust has explained its progress so far with a project called Building Bridges, created to help address the issue of Eastern European anglers taking fish from fisheries. Building Bridges project manager Janusz Kansik told Angler’s Mail all about the work.
“Building Bridges is about education and prevention,” said Janusz.

“We work with fisheries to encourage them to display signs in Eastern European languages to make the rules of the fishery clear.
We aren’t directly involved in enforcement but we can refer individual cases to the local Angling Trust enforcement officers, and where we learn of individual cases we contact the fisheries to offer our help and support.

After the incident at Carney Pools, myself and two voluntary bailiff service offices went to the fishery for a meeting. We now have four officers in the project. Three months ago we recruited a Romanian officer, Bogdan Pascaru, to build better relations with the Romanian community where there are special issues.”

Building Bridges nets 12 more volunteers Janusz continued: “We are also in process for the first time of recruiting 12 volunteers across England, who would be helping my team.

I believe this is a great example of project going in the right direction, and shows, the migrant community wants to be involved in educating and integrating others from their community".

0 Comments

Aggressive river fishing rogues try to hide in Bushes to avoid Environment Agency Bailiffs.

14/10/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
They're watching - an Environment Agency bailiffs caught rogues hiding in bushes.
Three brazen anglers were caught after fishing two different rivers in the Close Season – and then tried escaping in bushes. The three rogues from Liverpool, Merseyside, were prosecuted after wilfully obstructing an Environment Agency bailiff.
Jack O’Callaghan, 30, Patrick Jones, 35, and Alan Clelland, 56, all pleaded guilty in a case held at North Staffordshire Magistrates’ Court in Newcastle-Under-Lyme.

O’Callaghan was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £480 while Jones and Clelland were each ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £400.

O’Callaghan admitted three other charges in that he fished without a licence, fished in the Close Season and failed, when required to do so, to state his name and address to the Environment Agency bailiff.
Jones admitted two other charges in that he fished in the Close Season and without a licence. Clelland admitted one other offence in fishing during the Close Season.

The law-breakers were caught by EA enforcement officers who received intelligence that three men were fishing on the River Trent at Great Haywood in Staffordshire on April 19, 2019.

They were later spotted in the grounds of nearby Shugborough Hall where they were fishing the River Sow.

EA officers and estate rangers attempted to speak with the men but a short foot chase ensued where the suspects became aggressive and also tried to hide within bushes.

Having been joined by officers from Staffordshire Police, the men were eventually apprehended on the main road in Great Haywood.

This case shows how determined we are in catching and prosecuting people who flout the laws and obstruct our officers in carrying out their duties.

An annual fishing licence costs just £30.00, yet a small number of anglers continue to risk prosecution for fishing without a licence and breaching byelaws in place to protect fish stocks.
0 Comments

Angling Trust Fisheries Enforcement Workshop (Midlands) Saturday 19 October 2019

13/10/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Angling Trust Fisheries Enforcement Workshop (Midlands)

Saturday 19th October 2019

Woodhouse Eaves Parish Hall, 50 Main Street, Woodhouse Eaves, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE12 8RZ

 
In partnership with the Environment Agency and police, the Angling Trust will be running six further Fisheries Enforcement Workshops this autumn.
 
Funded by freshwater rod licences, these essential courses are FREE to attend.
Aimed at anglers, fishery owners and managers, angling club bailiffs and anyone with an interest in protecting fish and fisheries, Workshops provide training from policing and enforcement professionals.
 
These are full days, running between 0900 – 1630 hours (approx.).
 
Tea and coffee will be served but delegates need to bring a packed lunch and refreshments, or use local facilities.
 
Course content covers:-

Fisheries Enforcement Campaign
Theft Act: Fishing Without Permission and Fish Theft
EA Fisheries Enforcement
Best Practice for Water Bailiffs
Nets, Lines & Traps
Migrant Anglers: Building Bridges Project
Health & Safety/Risk Assessment
Conflict Resolution
Wildlife & Rural Crime Overview
 
To register for the workshop click here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/angling-trust-fisheries-enforcement-workshop-midlands-tickets-63742052194
Click on the video above to watch Dilip Sarkar (National Enforcement Manager) talk about the Fisheries Enforcement Workshop.
0 Comments

Jamie Hughes is 'Living the dream' with three remarkable wins

3/10/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Jamie Hughes is 'Living the dream'
After joining angling giant Matrix just under 12 months ago, to actually do what he’s always wanted to do, get involved in the company’s tackle design, was for one of angling's most popular ambassadors, simply a dream come true.
Like all sportsmen Jamie Hughes was always trying to be the best and whether it was simply competing upon the local open circuits or even on the local club scene in his early days, there was no concealing it, on the bank Hughes was always up there challenging to be the top rod on the day.

Now after what was been marked last year as probably the most eventful year within any anglers career, Jamie Hughes has topped even his own dream now by taking three major titles this year alone and collecting some serious prize money along with them.

After taking his third ‘blue ribbon’ event Fish ‘O’ Mania title win last year, Jamie Hughes had already become a national household name within the angling world and as he modestly described reaching his first final back in 2003 as dream come true, Hughes has gone on even further now to mark once again a tremendous achievement in his fantasy like career.

It’s often said that we make our own dreams come true and modestly reflecting of his own vision long ago before his first attempt, after that amazing run of success, competing in eight Fish ‘O’ finals to date, Hughes said ‘to win three titles simply isn’t meant to happen’.

Winning Fish ‘0’ three times was clearly an incredible story and it was an achievement that together had amassed a colossal £110k in prize money for him.

This year however has seen his story go on as Hughes has won the Diawa Pole Master’s, the Maver Match This competition and now the prestigious Golden Reel final, again topping another 100k in winnings, making him arguably the most successful commercial angler in the country and of course the best Merseyside has ever produced.
0 Comments

    ANGLING News Articles

    Picture
    Black Country Fishing

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.