Post by Hoppy on Mar 10, 2006 22:09:51 GMT -1
Two men and a boat in illegal fishing case at Cardigan
Two local men pleaded guilty to operating an illegal fixed engine (net) in the River Teifi Estuary at St Dogmaels. At Cardigan Magistrates Court this week (07.03.06) Andrew William Grota of Rickville, and Derek Lyn Williams of High Street, both in St Dogmaels were each fined £250 and were ordered to pay costs of £100 each in a prosecution brought byEnvironment Agency Wales. The Court also ordered a net and another piece of equipment used in the commission of the offence to be destroyed.
The Court was told that on 27 August 2005, two Agency Enforcement Officers were conducting a routine patrol of the River Teifi Estuary at St Dogmaels when they saw two men near the foreshore on the left hand bank of the river. They had in their possession a fish box
and a set of oars and were seen making their way to a moored boat. One of the men was seen to row out towards the centre of the river channel, while his companion fed out a 35-yard monofilament gill net. The net when set stretched across roughly three quarters of the channel and was secured to a half breeze block on the left bank.
The following morning four officers returned to the area, and established that the net was in the same position as on the previous day, and three officers deployed. Shortly after 6 am Williams came down the path to the foreshore and was seen to retrieve a blue fish box. He
made his way to the net, untied the anchor rope and pulled it in, placing it in the box. Grota remained on the bank, where he appeared to be acting as a lookout.
Williams left the foreshore carrying the fish box, making his way towards the car park, where Grota took it from him. At this point one of the officers made his presence known, identified himself as a Bailiff and both men were apprehended.They were both cautioned, neither
making any response. However, Williams did accept a receipt for the net and fish box. Police assistance was requested and once identities had been confirmed both men were allowed to leave.
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, 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 to others, and send out a clear message that such illegal activities are serious offences, and
are viewed as such by the courts.’
Two local men pleaded guilty to operating an illegal fixed engine (net) in the River Teifi Estuary at St Dogmaels. At Cardigan Magistrates Court this week (07.03.06) Andrew William Grota of Rickville, and Derek Lyn Williams of High Street, both in St Dogmaels were each fined £250 and were ordered to pay costs of £100 each in a prosecution brought byEnvironment Agency Wales. The Court also ordered a net and another piece of equipment used in the commission of the offence to be destroyed.
The Court was told that on 27 August 2005, two Agency Enforcement Officers were conducting a routine patrol of the River Teifi Estuary at St Dogmaels when they saw two men near the foreshore on the left hand bank of the river. They had in their possession a fish box
and a set of oars and were seen making their way to a moored boat. One of the men was seen to row out towards the centre of the river channel, while his companion fed out a 35-yard monofilament gill net. The net when set stretched across roughly three quarters of the channel and was secured to a half breeze block on the left bank.
The following morning four officers returned to the area, and established that the net was in the same position as on the previous day, and three officers deployed. Shortly after 6 am Williams came down the path to the foreshore and was seen to retrieve a blue fish box. He
made his way to the net, untied the anchor rope and pulled it in, placing it in the box. Grota remained on the bank, where he appeared to be acting as a lookout.
Williams left the foreshore carrying the fish box, making his way towards the car park, where Grota took it from him. At this point one of the officers made his presence known, identified himself as a Bailiff and both men were apprehended.They were both cautioned, neither
making any response. However, Williams did accept a receipt for the net and fish box. Police assistance was requested and once identities had been confirmed both men were allowed to leave.
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, 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 to others, and send out a clear message that such illegal activities are serious offences, and
are viewed as such by the courts.’
