|
Post by annanangler on May 8, 2007 20:22:37 GMT -1
As a new memeber of this forum and only ever fished in Scotland, I find this situation absouletely shocking and my sympathy goes out to all anglers concerned. I'm no politician but surely the police are getting sick of being called out to these riverside incidents, day in day out. Granted it's their job to keep our citizens safe but if there's another body (ie. EA) supposed to be looking after ( policing ? ) the rivers, it may be worth while for your club rep to arrange a meeting with the police and asking them for support in putting some pressure on the (EA) to do something about it. After all it's in both parties interests.
EA give the police a break and do your own job !
Just a thought from an outsider looking in.
|
|
|
Post by waddington on May 8, 2007 20:34:28 GMT -1
This is an absolutely disgusting state of affairs and only helps confirm my long held view that the EA is a complete waste of time and money. Forget some of the publics bygone romantic images of poachers taking a couple for the pot to help feed the family. These poachers are organised criminal thugs. Can you really sink any lower than threatening someone with learning difficulties? As far as the EA are concerned I'm sure their thinking runs along the following lines. Its a lot simpler to prosecute a couple of harmless kids who do not have a rod licence than tackle the serious poaching thugs. Perhaps our rod licence fee goes in planning 'risk assessments' for mock anti poaching exercises?
|
|
|
Post by Hoppy on May 8, 2007 21:10:41 GMT -1
I would like to know if the reported information about Mr Schofield being challenged is true. I would also like to know 1) If he was confronted did he report the matter? 2) Who did he report it to? 3) What was the response? 4) If he didn't report it why? 5) If his incident happened before other incidents? My point being if this wasn't reported how can people be expected to respond to something that isn't recorded? 6) Is poaching not a problem? Hoppy
|
|
|
Post by DAZ on May 8, 2007 22:16:10 GMT -1
Good point Hop...That would be interesting to know!
Fair play to the local police for responding to the incidents,but come on,is it the responsibility of the force to deal with such matters?.The "EMERGENCY HOTLINE" number on our licenses for poaching instances,pollution etc! etc! is to the "EAW" not the local nick.The EAW should be ashamed of themselves,they should be first on the scene to any reported incident,and they should be phoning the police for back up if required,not the local club bailif....."EMERGANCY HOTLINE" my a$$.
These matters really need to be addressed "NOW" it's out of control already and it will get worst if something is not done immediately.I know they are understaffed etc! etc! but are the big wigs at the EAW putting pressure on the welsh assembly for more funding/staff?
We know they monitor the forums,and I think It's about time they started posting a response to our questions openly. Maybe a written report of such incidents,at least we will then know that such crimes are being recorded.
DAZ.
|
|
|
Post by muddlerman on May 9, 2007 10:34:09 GMT -1
morning fellow fishermen thanks clwydman , like other members ave said there is a serious shortiage of EAW officers in north/south wales , to monitor poaching illigal fishing on sum ivers more than others , we found netts on our rivers estuary last yr .this yr also . they investigate the report , and thats an end to it , i cant see y club baillifs cant work closer with the EAW , as it has happened on my local river in the past, the situation here in south wales ,is goin to get worse i feel, i shall b bringing this issue up with the committee of my ocal river this evening about the situation on the ogmore to enlighten them to the threats that could arise on other small unmonitored rivers in my area, like i have said in other threads i ave no faith in the EAW wot so ever, not just for poaching / thugish behaviour , and pollution on our rivers in the north / south wales.
|
|
|
Post by highplains on May 9, 2007 17:14:03 GMT -1
Hoppy
Your questions have been answerd by the man himself.
The following is an email I recieved from Andy Schofield with regard to the report (mine I'm afraid) that he may have been seen off himself by poachers,
All the best
Highplains
I've been informed about the incidents on the Ogmore at the weekend. I've spoken to individuals in our Crime team and they were already sorting out an appropriate future operational response. I was amused by the rumour of me being chased off the river - not sure where this came from and I was thinking of 'milking' the story and giving an explanation that I'd come across a gang of 12, had arrested 6 and was leading them to the police station when the others got nasty and I had to run for it. On the other hand I will come clean - I have NOT been chased from the river nor have I encountered any conflict in my daily walks along it. I did meet one of the club officials when out running with my dog at 6:30am last week - but wasn't escaping. I did meet three Polish guys last year and spoke to them about the need for licences and permits - I even sent them an Angling Guide and directions to some of the free coastal spots but again I wasn't chased away so have absolutely no idea where the rumour has sprung up from. Some info on recorded incidents should be with you soon via Adrian. Regards, Andy
|
|
|
Post by rwgbridgend on May 9, 2007 17:54:59 GMT -1
I have today spoken to Dafydd Williams, head of enforcement for the south west region. Dafydd indicated that Bailiffs will be drawn in from other areas shortly to assist on the Ogmore. He even offered for EAW to patrol with club bailiffs.
Although this is a short term solution and other areas will be deprived of cover I appreciate the efforts of Dafydd and his team for working with the resources that have been provided to them. The staff in the regional office have always been most helpful
I have never had any complaints with current EAW staff - just their senior managers who have masked a huge problem from the Assembly and deprived themselves of possible further funding. This has even gone as far as telling 'untruths' in letters and the national press.
I cannot see any reason why senior figures within EAW would deny that there is a problem - except that is of course to make themselves look good.
|
|
|
Post by tuniwes on May 9, 2007 18:30:12 GMT -1
I have today spoken to Dafydd Williams, head of enforcement for the south west region. Dafydd indicated that Bailiffs will be drawn in from other areas shortly to assist on the Ogmore. He even offered for EAW to patrol with club bailiffs. d**n! I'll have to buy a rod licence now ;D ;D Only kidding, it arrived in the post last week. Ordered on March 29th! Good news that the EA are at last taking some notice of our problems Ian
|
|
|
Post by clwydman on May 9, 2007 19:06:11 GMT -1
Cannot be described as good news when bailliifs are being taken from other areas to sort out the problem. Can I ask why this factual story is not splattered across every newspaper in the land? It is no use us anglers talking amongst ourselves, it would appear no use talking to the EA, bosses merely try to brush it under the carpet, in the long term it may be worth talking to AM's etc but by then if this constant plundering of stocks and neglection of our river systems coninues, there will be no bloody fish left in the rivers. Get onto the press and shout it from the roof tops. When it happens on another river, we do it again and again and again. No one in authority will spend a penny on a problem the majority of the nation no nothing about .Fact!
|
|
|
Post by highplains on May 9, 2007 19:21:38 GMT -1
rwgbridgend,
You are indeed a credit to yourself. I am not sure I could have shown the same restraint in your position. I think had I been subject to such a potentially dangerous assault, I should have been far more vociferous. But you are, of course, correct. We have to continue to support the hard pressed front line staff.
Let's see what happens when the new inflow of enforcement staff get to work and what the consequences for the offenders will be?
Let us hope that the review of enforcement policy currently being considered will include an option to bring the level of enforcement staff up to acceptable levels.
All the best
Highplains
|
|
|
Post by buzzerman on May 9, 2007 20:10:13 GMT -1
these people are no different to all the foreign people who now reside in Arie they just take the fish no matter what species it is ,its just another way to make money , then they plead ignorance when caught its a joke
|
|
|
Post by rwgbridgend on May 9, 2007 20:22:53 GMT -1
Clwydman,
I agree. This situation has now progressed to such an extent that i believe it should come into the domain of the press.
I am currently working with highplains to issue a press release on behalf of the Clwyd Federation of Angling Clubs & Ogmore Angling Association.
I would appreciate if any other clubs, associations, federations or organisations would agree to lend their names to this press release.
|
|
|
Post by redsedge on May 10, 2007 4:40:05 GMT -1
As a voluntary bailiff on the Ogmore I am well acquainted with both Wynne and Goldhead. I can assure you their experiences have not been exaggerated in any way. I was not present at the incidents described on this forum but feel it is only a matter of time before I have my own tale to tell. The truth is the river, particularly in the Bridgend area, is under siege. These are not local kids with a tin of worms but gangs of thugs, many of whom come from outside the area, and it is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt. The Bridgend police have been helpful in these incidents and I personally have written to the local Superintendent to express the clubs appreciation of their help in an earlier incident. This incident was quite mild in comparison to what is occurring now.
I am however reminded of a campaign on the local radio by the EAW in the weeks before April 1st. This campaign was directed at anglers and the need to buy a current rod license. I am told it was the usual - fishery improvements, fishery protection etc. Well I certainly don't see the result of their activity. Maybe I have missed them - perhaps they really are there in SAS type disguise -in the much talked about covert operations. These criticisms are not directed at the EA staff on the ground, we all know about the thankless and often dangerous job they have. However the EA is not doing the job as far as the Ogmore is concerned. The protection of this river is being left to a handful of volunteers whose personal safety is being jeopardized. It is time for EAW to realize that this is the result of their policy over the last few years and do something about it. No longer can they tell us that serious poaching does not take place. I just hope it doesn't need an innocent person lying in a hospital bed to drive this point home.
|
|
|
Post by plotter on May 10, 2007 6:35:40 GMT -1
The reason i get so upset about all this is the fact that ive seen these excuse my language(bastards) out on carp lakes killing anything they can catch....
|
|
|
Post by richardjmiller on May 10, 2007 17:34:23 GMT -1
Has anyone tried getting 'Trout & Salmon' magazine involved? Other interested media outlets could be the Angling Times and Anglers Mail, also the Daily Telegraph. High profile media attention would force the hand of EAW (hopefully) although you can never be certain under the current administration. The Trout & Salmon Association would be useful allies as well.
Richard
|
|
|
Post by highplains on May 10, 2007 17:38:55 GMT -1
I wrote to the EA requesting details of reported incidents on the river over the period concerned. I copy below their reply. Will those of you involved on the Ogmore be kind enough to see if you can check the details provided with what actually happened in terms of reports to the EA. I am keen to learn if any of these calls were recorded as non EA business.
Many thanks.
Highplains
I have contacted my colleagues in Wales and I am informed that 5 illegal fishing incidents in the Area you refer to were reported on; 1st May, 5th May, 6th May and two on 7th May.
Regards,
|
|
|
Post by clwydman on May 10, 2007 17:59:12 GMT -1
As I have said on previous threads, it is vital that every single incident however small or insignificant is reported, including kids fishing on the sneak. Reported incidents mean raw data which means the EA have to do something about it. I for one am happy to give up an evening or two a month to take a walk around known poaching hotspots as an observer and phone the police,EA if anything suspicious is seen. Some may say that is offering to do the job for the EA, I say it is protecting the future of our fishery and generating statistics. These arseholes in offices only work on statistics nowadays. What we need is river watchers who phone every time they see something suspicious. I remember stopping on the Aberystwyth to Machynlleth road on the way back up from west Wales and taking a walk along the lower reaches of the Dovey. Hadn't been there 15 minutes before I noticed a car pulling up in the laybye and a chat taking my number plate down. Walked back up for a chat, nice bloke, lived in a georgous spot just before Machynlleth over looking the valley, he had spotted me walking and popped out to check. This is the sort of thing we need to provide the EA pen pushers the data that will force them to change their head in the sand approach!
|
|
|
Post by rwgbridgend on May 10, 2007 18:07:00 GMT -1
Thank you highplains for getting these statistics
and thank you clwydman for reminding everyone of the importance of reporting all incidents.
Unfortunately the statistics Highplains has received only represent a percentage of the incidents that are occuring. Both members and club bailiffs have been conditioned into not calling the EA on weekends as they know there will not be a response. As Clwydman states, calling the EA for every incident is important because that's all that matters these days is statistics.
|
|
|
Post by highplains on May 11, 2007 16:59:39 GMT -1
Latest news on the subject from Andy Schofield at the EAW.
Regards.
Highplains
I totally agree that we don't want things to get out of hand. I hope the Area's response nips things in the bud. The Ogmore has been up about 3 feet overnight and dropping off again and with the current weather forecast things should hopefully be fairly quiet. Not surpisingly the activities do seem to coincide with warm sunny weather and/or bank holidays. Andy
|
|
|
Post by highplains on May 11, 2007 20:26:49 GMT -1
I have been giving this item some further thought, and the more I think about it the more I feel duped!
Following the pressure we brought to bear last year the EAW announced that the 0800 80 70 60 number would henceforth be manned by enforcement officers. There would be no more being put through to an exchange somewhere to a somebody who had no idea where we were or even where our rivers were. No, we would be put through to a duty enforcement officer who would deal directly with our complaint.
I was so taken in by this bull that I included a special item in our club newsletter. I explained, with a naivety that now amazes me, that members must ring this number. There would now be a response and all would be getting better.
The Environment Agency Wales have taken away my integrity. What will our members say now? What am I to say when the Agency does nothing or continues to book calls as non agency business? I am going to have to apologise and say I was duped, that I am a naive fool and that the Environment Agency Wales have not changed. They have not just failed. They have broken a promise. They are not honourable. They do not deserve to be called public servants!
By the left Environment Agency Wales you are going to have to go some to even start to regain any credibility with me. What is more I will take every opportunity I can to bring this hypocrisy to the attention of any body that will listen.
You have acknowledged that you received calls on the 1st 5th 6th and 7th of May. Failing to respond on the 1st is perhaps understandable on the possible ground that you had no warning, by the 5th this reasoning has failed by the 7th you really are showing yourselves up for what you are. I mean its not as though you are not aware that this is the Ogmore Secretary’s ‘patch’ and you know how vociferous he can be. He like so many more has been on to you, quite publicly, for over a year. I think you have made it quite clear what you think of us and I am going to find it difficult to forgive.
I really would appreciate an honest response!
A very embittered
Highplains.
|
|