Post by Hoppy on Mar 10, 2006 22:06:40 GMT -1
Local man fined after illegal net is used on the Teifi
A local man has pleaded guilty to operating an illegal fixed engine (net) in the River Teifi at Cardigan. At Cardigan Magistrates Court this week (7.03.06) Christopher Daniel Tamlin of The Ridgeway was fined £150 and ordered to pay costs of £100 to Environment Agency Wales who brought the prosecution. The Court also ordered the net and another piece of equipment used in the commission of the offence to be destroyed.
The Court was told that on 26 September 2005 two Agency Enforcement Officers were conducting a routine patrol in Cardigan. They saw two youths make their way to the riverbank outside the Heritage Centre, downstream of the old Town Bridge. One of these
youths, who was wearing a distinctive red fleece-type top and who was later identified as Tamlin picked up what proved to be the headrope of a net set in the river.
From a concealed position the officers saw Tamlin and a second youth approach the net. As both youths began to recover the net one of the officers made to approach, but as he did so a third youth, who had been acting as a lookout shouted a warning. Both youths then abandoned the net and attempted to make off, but their escape route was cut off by the second officer. A fourth youth then joined the group, who all turned back, towards the river.
Despite being warned by the officers, three of the youths entered the river and attempted to
swim towards the opposite bank. One youth seemed to be in difficulties, and police assistance was requested. The fourth youth had made off.
The Agency officers made their way across the bridge to the opposite bank and all three youths including the defendant, who had removed his red fleece top, were helped from the river. They were placed under arrest and cautioned. All indicated that they had nothing to say
but as they were leaving Tamlin asked if he could have his net back.
Later that evening Agency officers removed a 35-yard monofilament gill net from the river.
The Court was told that the River Teifi was regarded as an important river for salmon and migratory trout but that in recent years there has been a drastic decline in stocks, which has been reflected in a reduced number of migratory fish entering the river. This decline in the
volume of fish in the river is a source of concern to both the Agency and to those involved in the promotion of tourism and fishing in the Teifi Valley. Although no fish had been caught on this occasion, the potential existed for significant numbers of migratory fish to have been
taken and that it was the Agency’s view that this had been a well-organised and premeditated poaching expedition.
After the case an Agency spokesperson said: ‘The Teifi Estuary has a history of migratory salmonid poaching. The prosecution of these offenders will hopefully act as a deterrent for others, and send out a clear message that illegal netting activities are treated as serious
offences.’
A local man has pleaded guilty to operating an illegal fixed engine (net) in the River Teifi at Cardigan. At Cardigan Magistrates Court this week (7.03.06) Christopher Daniel Tamlin of The Ridgeway was fined £150 and ordered to pay costs of £100 to Environment Agency Wales who brought the prosecution. The Court also ordered the net and another piece of equipment used in the commission of the offence to be destroyed.
The Court was told that on 26 September 2005 two Agency Enforcement Officers were conducting a routine patrol in Cardigan. They saw two youths make their way to the riverbank outside the Heritage Centre, downstream of the old Town Bridge. One of these
youths, who was wearing a distinctive red fleece-type top and who was later identified as Tamlin picked up what proved to be the headrope of a net set in the river.
From a concealed position the officers saw Tamlin and a second youth approach the net. As both youths began to recover the net one of the officers made to approach, but as he did so a third youth, who had been acting as a lookout shouted a warning. Both youths then abandoned the net and attempted to make off, but their escape route was cut off by the second officer. A fourth youth then joined the group, who all turned back, towards the river.
Despite being warned by the officers, three of the youths entered the river and attempted to
swim towards the opposite bank. One youth seemed to be in difficulties, and police assistance was requested. The fourth youth had made off.
The Agency officers made their way across the bridge to the opposite bank and all three youths including the defendant, who had removed his red fleece top, were helped from the river. They were placed under arrest and cautioned. All indicated that they had nothing to say
but as they were leaving Tamlin asked if he could have his net back.
Later that evening Agency officers removed a 35-yard monofilament gill net from the river.
The Court was told that the River Teifi was regarded as an important river for salmon and migratory trout but that in recent years there has been a drastic decline in stocks, which has been reflected in a reduced number of migratory fish entering the river. This decline in the
volume of fish in the river is a source of concern to both the Agency and to those involved in the promotion of tourism and fishing in the Teifi Valley. Although no fish had been caught on this occasion, the potential existed for significant numbers of migratory fish to have been
taken and that it was the Agency’s view that this had been a well-organised and premeditated poaching expedition.
After the case an Agency spokesperson said: ‘The Teifi Estuary has a history of migratory salmonid poaching. The prosecution of these offenders will hopefully act as a deterrent for others, and send out a clear message that illegal netting activities are treated as serious
offences.’