FISHERMEN FINED FOR INACCURATE CATCH RECORDS

Anglers often ask where their rod licence fees are being spent, I feel the following prosecutions by the EA show that there are many dedicated people in the EA trying to protect and enhance our fish stocks. Surveillance work in any form is is often hazards and sometimes very dangerous. Well done the EA.

Seven haaf net fisherman who made false declarations on salmon and sea trout catch records for the Solway Estuary, were fined a total of £2,900 at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court .

The Agency relies on accurate catch data from fishermen to assess the impact of catches on spawning stocks. Whilst the number of returning adult fish and future stock size is influenced by many factors, exploitation by fishermen can have a major impact on the viability of future stock.

The seven men were also ordered to pay a total of £4,000 costs to the Environment Agency, which brought the prosecution.

The Agency has a duty to maintain, improve and develop salmon and freshwater fisheries throughout England and Wales and the Border Esk in Scotland. This includes keeping the salmon population of individual rivers at an optimum self-sustaining level.

Daniel Frieze, prosecuting for the Environment Agency told the court that the number of net licences to fish in the English Solway is currently limited to 155 although in recent years only 100 of these licences have on average been issued.

Under National Fisheries Byelaws created by the Environment Agency, anyone who holds a licence to fish for migratory salmonids (salmon and sea trout) with a haaf net is required to make accurate catch returns detailing dates, locations, time spent fishing and the number and weights of fish caught.

A surveillance operation was authorised throughout July and August 2004. During these observations a daily log was created detailing names of any fishermen who could be identified and the amount of salmonids caught. This log was then linked by reference number to the recorded videotape of the activity observed on that day.

Subsequently, these tapes and logs were compared to the returns submitted by individual netsmen and any discrepancies identified.

Five of the men pleaded guilty to providing false information to the agency in relation to the amount of salmonids caught during the summer of 2004.

Denis and Barry Richardson (father and Son) were found guilty of similar offences following a lengthy trial. Denis was fined £900 and ordered to pay £750 costs. Barry was fined £1,050 and ordered to pay £750 costs. Both men were also disqualified from holding a haaf netting licence for two years.

In sentencing, the District Judge accepted that with regard to the five men who pleaded guilty there were errors and a lack of care. However he said there were too many errors for it to be a lack of care in the case of Denis and Barry Richardson.

Speaking after the hearing, Fisheries Technical Specialist Cameron Durie said: “We have a responsibility to manage salmon and sea trout stocks, both for conservation reasons and for the benefit of anglers and netsmen. One of the ways in which we do this is by enforcing legislation designed to protect them.

“Fishermen have a legal obligation to declare how many salmon and sea trout they have caught and failure to do so means we can’t build up a true picture making it impossible to manage the fishery effectively.

“Net duties are payable based on the number of fish caught so by under-declaring their catches these men have placed themselves at an unfair advantage over honest fishermen

MORE FISHERMEN FINED FOR INACCURATE CATCH RECORDS

Eighteen haaf net fisherman who made false declarations on salmon and sea trout catch records for the Solway Estuary, were ordered to pay a total of £12,900 at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Thursday).

The Environment Agency, which brought the prosecution, relies on accurate catch data from fishermen to assess the impact of catches on spawning stocks. Exploitation by fishermen can have a major impact on the viability of future stock and affect the ecology of our rivers.

The Agency has a duty to maintain, improve and develop salmon and freshwater fisheries including keeping the salmon population of individual rivers at an optimum self-sustaining level.

Speaking after the hearing, Fisheries Team Leader Keith Kendal said: “We have a role to protect fish stocks from over-exploitation. The impact of all fisheries on the region’s fish stocks needs to be constantly monitored and on occasion adjusted to safeguard their future and protect river life for future generations to enjoy. Accurate catch returns are vital to the effective management and protection of these fisheries.”

Daniel Frieze, prosecuting for the Environment Agency, told the court that under National Fisheries Byelaws anyone who holds a licence to fish for migratory salmonids with a haaf net is required to make accurate catch returns detailing dates, locations, time spent fishing and the number and weights of fish caught.

A surveillance operation took place during July and August 2004. A daily log was created detailing names of fishermen and the amount of salmonids caught. The logs were compared to the returns submitted and discrepancies identified.

Sixteen of the men pleaded guilty to providing false information to the agency in relation to the amount of salmonids caught during the summer of 2004.

Two of the men were found guilty of similar offences following a lengthy trial. In addition to a significant fine, both men were also disqualified from holding a haaf netting licence for two years.

Keith added: “Whilst we are pleased with the outcome, we are disappointed that we need to resort to prosecutions. Salmon fishing is important to the local economy of Cumbria so it’s vital that stocks are monitored at a local level. But we also have national and international obligations, agreed with the inter-governmental North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation. Among these obligations is a commitment to reduce illegal and unreported salmon catches.”