Will the new proposed legislation stop fish theft?

[Worms]

Ok, here's another poll based on the proposed new legislation that will prevent the taking of coarse fish except for 15 8" or smaller bait fish, one pike of about 5lb or two grayling of about 1lb.

 

As has been mentioned many times on this and other fora and has been considered by the Environment Agency, policing of existing fish theft law is a problem.

 

Therefore I would be interested to see views on, specifically, methods that could be used by the EA to target fish theft (apart from the obvious ones of having bailiffs on the bank ). Whether anglers would be prepared to see the licence fee raised and the extra money used to target such a "hands on" approach? Or any other relevant issues.

 

Edit: Just to clarify things this proposed legislation is aimed at rivers not stillwater fisheries.

 

Thanks again for your time!

 

Nick

Edited January 2, 2010 by Worms

[Kappa]

  Worms said:

Ok, here's another poll based on the proposed new legislation that will prevent the taking of coarse fish except for 15 8" or smaller bait fish, one pike of about 5lb or two grayling of about 1lb.

 

As has been mentioned many times on this and other fora and has been considered by the Environment Agency, policing of existing fish theft law is a problem.

 

Therefore I would be interested to see views on, specifically, methods that could be used by the EA to target fish theft (apart from the obvious ones of having bailiffs on the bank ). Whether anglers would be prepared to see the licence fee raised and the extra money used to target such a "hands on" approach? Or any other relevant issues.

 

Thanks again for your time!

 

Nick

 

Will it make any difference? No of course not who is going to catch anyone taking fish? So that leaves us with are we willing to pay for more bailiffs? My initial response is yes of course. However on reflection I wonder just how many bailiffs it would take to properly police the rivers and also would it actually be worth the cost? If fish are being taken it would probably be cheaper just to replace them than increase the number of bailiffs.

 

I think more responsibility needs to be taken by clubs and day ticket water owners. If you had to produce a rod licence before you brought a ticket I think there would be many fewer problems.

 

I've just realised the EA may have been very clever with this new legislation. If you ring them up reporting someone taking fish will they say 'we'll be right over' or will it be 'that is theft and a matter for the police'. It might not be anything to do with stopping anyone just making punishment easier. That is if you think the justice system would do anything more than slapped wrists...

 

Rich

[Dick Dastardly]

No only increased policing of the banks by properly trained baillifs will.

[Brian Carragher]

Ditto

[Steve Coppolo]

As always, it will be the law abiding, the responsible, the conscientious, and the accountable, who will suffer.

 

The law breakers will just carry on doing what they've always done.

[wayne baker]

It will make do difference at all. I must concure with MR Burgess, MR Carrragher, And MR Coppola.

[Vagabond]

Stop it ???

 

No, far from it, it would increase it - because whilst it is legal at present to remove fish from certain rivers, these laws would criminalise that activity.

 

Will these laws mean no-one can ever legally eat river-caught perch or eels ever again?

[Elton]

  Vagabond said:

Will these laws mean no-one can ever legally eat river-caught perch or eels ever again?

 

No. You will still be able to buy as many net-caught eels as you want from Tescos. They had stacks of them in stock when I went in there the other day and will probably still have the same supply after anglers are stopped from retaining them.

[Worms]

  Elton said:

No. You will still be able to buy as many net-caught eels as you want from Tescos. They had stacks of them in stock when I went in there the other day and will probably still have the same supply after anglers are stopped from retaining them.

But those eels come from the same stocks....as commercially caught elvers bred on and adult eels....that anglers will be banned from catching!

[Worms]

  Vagabond said:

Stop it ???

 

No, far from it, it would increase it - because whilst it is legal at present to remove fish from certain rivers, these laws would criminalise that activity.

Hit the nail on the head there Dave!

Edited January 2, 2010 by Worms