Environment Agency News Release


On 10 September 2007, Ian Driscoll, of Margaret’s Road, Tewkesbury, was found guilty at Cheltenham Magistrates Court to a charge relating to fishing for elvers (baby eels) without a valid dip net licence.

The charge was brought by the Environment Agency under Section 27 (a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fish Act (1975). Mr Driscoll was fined £150 and ordered to pay costs of £250 plus £15 for a victim support fund.  

For the Environment Agency, Jill Robson told the court that on 2 May 2007, three water bailiffs were patrolling the River Severn. The purpose of this patrol was to detect people committing offences relating to unlicensed fishing and the use of unlawful equipment.

Mr Driscoll, aged 38 was spotted by the patrol at approximately 10.50pm fishing at Maisemore Bridge using a dip net. Mr Driscoll was asked by one of the water bailiffs to produce his dip net licence, which he failed to do. He was then cautioned by the water bailiff and issued with a failure to produce a licence ticket made out in his name. A bucket of elvers was alongside Mr Driscoll, which were returned to the river.

Speaking after the case, an Environment Agency spokesperson, said: ‘Illegal elver fishing can impact on eel stocks. The number of elvers in European rivers has been in sharp decline and the revenue from £65 elver dip net licences contributes towards eel conservation work undertaken by the Environment Agency. We will continue undertake patrols until illegal elver fishing is completely stamped out.’

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