 Stepping up - Greg McNally created Local Anglers Against Poaching, and is on his way to his first goal of 1,000 members. | A new anti-poaching network has been set up on Facebook by an angler keen to reduce the amount of fish theft around the country. Local Anglers Against Poaching has been founded by Greg McNally, who is determined to ensure that there are enough fish left for his four-year-old son to one day go fishing with him. |
The 39 year old, who runs an electrical installation business in Solihull, West Midlands, explained: "I have been concerned about the issue of poaching for some while, but it was particularly noticeable during the lockdown period, when fishing was banned, how many people were spotted fishing illegally, some even removing fish.
"With my son in mind, and the fact that I love the sport, I said to myself that instead of just moaning I should try to do something about it. I have a lot of contacts, due to running my own business, so I thought I could build on this on social media.
"The group has been going about six weeks, but we already have 450 members and interest continues to grow.
"My idea is to try to help smaller fishery owners and angling clubs that can't afford to bailiff their waters on a 24-hour basis, especially at night, by linking them to volunteers who will walk round their waters regularly in return for a bit of free fishing.
"For example. maybe a volunteer doing four patrols, lasting three hours each, would entitle them to a day's fishing, at a time when swims would be free. This way everyone gains.
"If we get to a thousand members, I propose to set up an internet page where volunteers and fisheries could register their interest and availability, to make contact with each other.
"We might then have to take up references, and so a small fee of say £10.00 might be charged, but it will definitely be a not-for-profit organisation.
''Volunteers should patrol in pairs, and I wouldn't suggest anyone confronts any poachers themselves, but they could contact the owner or club officials and maybe take photos. They could also consider contacting the Police or the Environment Agency, where appropriate.
"I wouldn't want to demonise any specific group, but the taking of fish seems be more of an issue with some Eastern European fisherman, as it's often part of their cultural background, and I have been in touch with the Angling Trust's Building Bridges Project."
This new group might fill a gap left by another voluntary organisation, Fishery Watch which, after a very positive start last year, has gone very quiet.
"With my son in mind, and the fact that I love the sport, I said to myself that instead of just moaning I should try to do something about it. I have a lot of contacts, due to running my own business, so I thought I could build on this on social media.
"The group has been going about six weeks, but we already have 450 members and interest continues to grow.
"My idea is to try to help smaller fishery owners and angling clubs that can't afford to bailiff their waters on a 24-hour basis, especially at night, by linking them to volunteers who will walk round their waters regularly in return for a bit of free fishing.
"For example. maybe a volunteer doing four patrols, lasting three hours each, would entitle them to a day's fishing, at a time when swims would be free. This way everyone gains.
"If we get to a thousand members, I propose to set up an internet page where volunteers and fisheries could register their interest and availability, to make contact with each other.
"We might then have to take up references, and so a small fee of say £10.00 might be charged, but it will definitely be a not-for-profit organisation.
''Volunteers should patrol in pairs, and I wouldn't suggest anyone confronts any poachers themselves, but they could contact the owner or club officials and maybe take photos. They could also consider contacting the Police or the Environment Agency, where appropriate.
"I wouldn't want to demonise any specific group, but the taking of fish seems be more of an issue with some Eastern European fisherman, as it's often part of their cultural background, and I have been in touch with the Angling Trust's Building Bridges Project."
This new group might fill a gap left by another voluntary organisation, Fishery Watch which, after a very positive start last year, has gone very quiet.
Source: Angler's Mail
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