Poaching depleting freshwater fish stocks

[Ukwildlifeo]

BBC NEWS | UK | 'Poaching threat' to fish stocks

At bedfords lake (where i take the dragonfly photos) there are scorch marks on the ground where the local eastern european families catch fish and eat them. I wouldn't mind but they lleave lareg lengths fishing line everywhere (a hazard to humans and wildlife alike, i spent 10mins trying to get free of one length) and this lake is to small to sustain fish being caught and eaten everyday. I have also found 4 dead pike in one day on the bank - killed beacuse they were eating the food fish and too boney to eat?

[m1.carson]

Hi,

I live very near the Thames and the same thing is happening here, if you try to tell them it's not allowed, or they need a rod licence, they don't understand.

Where have all the water baliffs gone, I know some private lakes have been checked for rod licences, usually during a competition, but, haven't seen nor heard of any patrolling the rivers at all for years, lock keepers may occasionally wander over to check you if you're close enough to the lock, but thats about it.

Max.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by m1.carson

Hi,

I live very near the Thames and the same thing is happening here, if you try to tell them it's not allowed, or they need a rod licence, they don't understand.

Where have all the water baliffs gone, I know some private lakes have been checked for rod licences, usually during a competition, but, haven't seen nor heard of any patrolling the rivers at all for years, lock keepers may occasionally wander over to check you if you're close enough to the lock, but thats about it.

Max.

I think its more of a case they 'forget' english when it suits them. And I havent ever seen anyone being checked for a fishing licence - and noone stopped fishing in the close season either. I followed a fisherman last week as he walked past loads of space in the fishing area in my local park to get to the non-fishing area. So I guess its now a case of do what the hell you want

[epops]

I used to belong to a local angling club where we had a problem with fish poaching we went though all the proper channels to get a lake stocked even managed to get a few catfish and permission from anglia water to stock them it cost the club a fair few quid to get all this sorted only to find out a few months down the line the fish gone it turned out they had been caught and eaten even when they were caught red handed the people concerned reckoned they did'nt know they were doing wrong and did'nt undrstand english!

[m1.carson]

Hi people,

This is a bit of a cross post, but why spend out on a rod licence when no-one checks them, and others are worrying about crayfish licences, it seems you'd have to be very unlucky to be caught at either, if you are, "me no unnerstand ".

Max.

[epops]

Originally Posted by m1.carson

Hi people,

This is a bit of a cross post, but why spend out on a rod licence when no-one checks them, and others are worrying about crayfish licences, it seems you'd have to be very unlucky to be caught at either, if you are, "me no unnerstand ".

Max.

i been fresh water fishing about35 years and never been asked about a liecence now as a sea angler as well the want us to shell out on a licence to catch fish that arnt there lol

[nightshade]

This is a problem which should be tackled by Government/Local Authority
as people Enter the country (not after) along with the disturbing habit of
occasionally driving on the RIGHT when their attention wanders
http://www.road-safety.org.uk/images...cm4-410226.pdf

[clover green]

Contact Havering council and maybe they will look in to it asap. (I know bedfords, though I haven't been there for years); or even contact the local police, as a lot of stations now have a wildlife officer. It's worth a try? Good luck

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by clover green

Contact Havering council and maybe they will look in to it asap. (I know bedfords, though I haven't been there for years); or even contact the local police, as a lot of stations now have a wildlife officer. It's worth a try? Good luck

Not really. Ive 'contacted' havering council as have other people on other matters and no-one ever hears back. They only contact you when you dont pay your council tax it appears. And the police arn't interested in anything wildlife related. Oh well atleast less fish mite me more dragonflies and damselflys and amphibians

[clover green]

Your reply doesn't surprise me, it seems to be a sign of the times unfortunately!