POACHING
It is a poor reflection on Society that Fishery Managers see poaching as one of their important roles. However, as the levels of fish stocks in our fisheries has increased so too, has the level of poaching. The use of rod and line to catch and to poach fish may have decreased, discouraged by the increased number of anglers on the water. However, nets, baited set lines or baited long lines have become a challenge in many larger waters that we do not deserve. Sometimes it is argued that the fish are for food, and the family would go hungry without the fish. It is however, theft and should be treated as such by the Association and the police. The angling Trust have provided some excellent courses and operational support for bailiffs. BAILIFFS NEED GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT.
The Angling Trust run a Voluntary Bailiff Scheme in conjunction with the Environment Agency and work collaboratively with the police to address and prevent crime affecting angling.
Prevention is more effective than cure. When designing or improving a fishery, physical protection should be provided wherever possible (fences and gates should be the right height to prevent access and egress).
Each fishery needs an appropriate level of security, based on its location and level of investment (e.g. a fishery surrounded by a residential area, will need establishing a relationship with the neighbourhood and agreement on security and lights etc.), in addition to fences where they are needed. A fishery away from houses and neighbourhoods will need higher levels of physical barrier, e.g. high fencing to prevent access). on some fisheries CCTV cameras. located in the right positions and secured in the right way to may help in protecting fish stocks and fish health; poachers are more likely to abuse your fish stocks than your members.
Double figure Carp of this size, even though not specimens to the big carp anglers can be a target for poachers. Replacement of this quality of fish is expensive and sometimes difficult to source