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FIGURES REVEAL LOW RESPONSE TO FISHERY INCIDENTS - DO WE NEED MORE BAILIFFS?

16/11/2020

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The EA’s National Incident Recording System received 2,924 reports of fishery incidents across England. Just 103 were registered as ‘attended’
The angling community is deeply concerned for the safety of our sport after damning figures were revealed about the Environment Agency’s response to fishery incidents over lockdown.
Obtained by a Freedom of Information request, they state that between March 23 and August 21 this year, the EA’s National Incident Recording System received 

2,924 reports of fishery incidents across England. Just 103 were registered as ‘attended’.

‘Fishery incidents’ include poaching and fish disease – but the EA states that it had to prioritise certain incidents over lockdown. A spokesperson said:

“During the national lockdown we had to limit some field work due to Government guidance on how to manage the risk of contracting Coronavirus, but we continued to respond to the most damaging incidents which could have seriously harmed the environment.

“Over the course of the summer we carried out many fish rescue operations that were essential to protect vital fish species.”

The EA also said that the figures might be slightly misleading:
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“Some of the 2,924 incident notifications may have been from the same source. Others could have been unsubstantiated, while others won’t have been appropriate to attend, or not have been within our remit.”

While there’s no doubt the EA faced an unprecedented and challenging time, and that these figures may not tell the full picture, this can’t continue – as angling ambassador, Rob Hughes, explains:

“To be honest, I’m not surprised by the figures. Over lockdown there were many problems, ranging from members of the public trespassing on fisheries right through to poaching.

“There was bound to be a high level of incidents, and the poor response time is indicative of just how underfunded the Environment Agency is.

“However, we can’t excuse these figures and people should not get away with poaching. The whole Covid situation has been a learning curve, and hopefully the EA can learn from these statistics and be better prepared in future.”

Martin Salter, Head of Policy at the Angling Trust, gave its view on the issue:

“The Trust is disappointed at the lack of activity on the ground by the Environment Agency during the lockdown period and after, but is pleased that normal service has been resumed,” he said.

But has it? According to Adrian Lane, of Fishery Watch, the UK’s largest independent voluntary water keeper network, problems are still occurring.

“Last week we had a call about a man killing an 80cm pike. He’s admitted to it – I’ve received messages from him doing so – but when the incident was reported to the EA it showed no interest.

“We also received reports from a man fishing a canal who watched someone catching bream and putting them in a bucket to take away. Again, he called the EA, which was unable to help due to having nobody in the area. The problems are ongoing, and we can’t let it go on like this.”

It was Adrian who submitted the FOI request to the EA, after receiving an alarming number of calls from anglers during lockdown saying that they weren’t getting any help.

“People have called in desperation after failed attempts with the EA,” he says, “and we will try and help out where we can.
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“We made 41 calls to the police about fishery incidents over lockdown, and every single one was attended. Officers have even stayed on afterwards on occasions and helped clear up rubbish. It would be great if the EA could refer people to the police if its staff can’t attend an incident.”

Asked where he believes the EA’s problem lies, Adrian says:

“The last thing I want to do is criticise the people on the ground.
“I have great relationships with my enforcement officers, who are as passionate and caring about our fisheries as we are.

“I think the problems come from the top, and until more funding is made available our fisheries are in a perilous place.”
Source: Angling Times
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ANGLING TRUST SEEK CLARITY ON ANGLING DURING LOCKDOWN-2 FROM THE 5TH NOVEMEBER - 2ND DECEMBER 2020

2/11/2020

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Angling Trust staff have been working hard over the weekend to ensure that angling in England can continue during the forthcoming lockdown. Unlike golf and tennis the government have not 
asked fisheries to close and their announcement and guidance makes clear that outdoor recreation at ‘parks and gardens’ and at ‘beaches and in the ‘countryside’ is to be deemed a legitimate reason for leaving home from November 5th.

The travel guidance was updated yesterday and it seems that short journeys from home for these purposes are to be permitted. There are a number of other issues on which we are seeking clarification and a copy of our letter to the Secretary of State at DCMS can be downloaded below for those wanting to see more. We are hearing that the final regulations will not now be published until Wednesday but we will update everybody the moment we know more. We remain confident that we will still be fishing from Thursday so please be patient!

Letter to Oliver Dowden Secretary of State DCMS
Source: Angling Trust
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Birmingham Anglers Association subscriptions frozen again for 2021.

1/11/2020

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BAA is able to hold membership rates again for 2021, unchanged since 2015.
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2020 membership covers the period 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021, irrespective of when you buy it.
If you buy it before the end of 2020, you can also use it during the remainder of this year.

A car sticker will also be included with your membership card.

Full Membership
(Adult Male / Female of 17 years and under 65 years) £40.00

Senior Membership
(Adult Male / Female of 65 years or more) £30.00

Junior Membership
(Child of 10 years and under 17 years) £15.00

Family Membership
(Husband, Wife or partner, two children under 17 years)* £80.00

Infant Membership
(Child under 10 years) £2.00

Non-Fishing Membership
(Male / Female of any age, allowed to be present at Association waters but not allowed to fish)** £5.00

Owing to the latest covid-19 restrictions, the BAA office is closed to all visitors.

​Until further notice all business will be conducted via telephone, email or on-line. To get your memebership go to https://www.baa.uk.com
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