Post by Hoppy on Apr 5, 2006 19:00:53 GMT -1
NET CLOSING IN ON ILLEGAL POACHERS IN KENT
The Environment Agency is carrying out nighttime patrols on rivers in Kent in a bid to prevent the illegal netting of juvenile eel during their inland migration.
Unfortunately, eel stocks are thought to be declining across Europe due to a number of factors. These include climate change and its effects on the North Atlantic currents and hence the elver migration. For this reason the Environment Agency affords as much protection to the species as possible at this time of year and as from 1 January 2005 elver fishing became illegal in Kent.
The Environment Agency is concerned that eel stocks across Europe are currently at a low level. In April and May each year, thousands of eel complete an epic journey from across the Atlantic, arriving in rivers and streams in Kent but the number of juveniles (elver) returning to these rivers is thought to be in decline. Environment Agency Water Bailiffs are now patrolling rivers in Kent to protect the elver during this vulnerable time.
Environment Agency Kent Technical Specialist for Fisheries, Chris Conroy, said: “The eel is a fascinating species of fish with a complex life cycle. It is often misunderstood but plays an important role in the ecology of rivers and is an important food source for several species of conservation value such as the otter”.
“Any reports of illegal elver fishing will be taken with the utmost seriousness due to international agreements regarding the vulnerability of elvers. Our Water Bailiffs are patrolling hotspots on a regular basis, and anyone found in contravention of the regulations could face arrest, seizure of equipment, prosecution and fines of up to £2,500 pounds”.
Any reports of suspicious activity should be reported immediately to the Environment Agency Emergency Hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
The Environment Agency is carrying out nighttime patrols on rivers in Kent in a bid to prevent the illegal netting of juvenile eel during their inland migration.
Unfortunately, eel stocks are thought to be declining across Europe due to a number of factors. These include climate change and its effects on the North Atlantic currents and hence the elver migration. For this reason the Environment Agency affords as much protection to the species as possible at this time of year and as from 1 January 2005 elver fishing became illegal in Kent.
The Environment Agency is concerned that eel stocks across Europe are currently at a low level. In April and May each year, thousands of eel complete an epic journey from across the Atlantic, arriving in rivers and streams in Kent but the number of juveniles (elver) returning to these rivers is thought to be in decline. Environment Agency Water Bailiffs are now patrolling rivers in Kent to protect the elver during this vulnerable time.
Environment Agency Kent Technical Specialist for Fisheries, Chris Conroy, said: “The eel is a fascinating species of fish with a complex life cycle. It is often misunderstood but plays an important role in the ecology of rivers and is an important food source for several species of conservation value such as the otter”.
“Any reports of illegal elver fishing will be taken with the utmost seriousness due to international agreements regarding the vulnerability of elvers. Our Water Bailiffs are patrolling hotspots on a regular basis, and anyone found in contravention of the regulations could face arrest, seizure of equipment, prosecution and fines of up to £2,500 pounds”.
Any reports of suspicious activity should be reported immediately to the Environment Agency Emergency Hotline on 0800 80 70 60.