Post by wilbert on Jan 18, 2008 15:41:18 GMT -1
Here is a bit of good news and proof that the EA are willing to put the time in to make a prosecution for poaching.
Surveillance Operation nets Teifi Valley Poacher
Painstaking surveillance work by Environment Agency Wales fisheries enforcement officers has paid off with a 120 hours community order imposed on a local man for poaching on the River Teifi. Christopher Daniel Tamlin, of Maes Y Ffynnon, Lloyds Terrace, Newcastle Emlyn was also ordered to pay £100 costs after pleading guilty to three charges, relating to poaching. The case, brought by Environment Agency Wales, was heard at Cardigan Magistrates Court on the 6th of December 2007. On the 7th of June 2007 Agency Fisheries Officers received information of illegal nets set in the Teifi at Newcastle Emlyn, in an area locally known as the ‘Weirs’. The officers, acting on this information, took up concealed positions in the area close to the nets. On the following day, using surveillance equipment, they were able to observe a man moving towards the position of the nets at 05:20 from the direction of Newcastle Emlyn. Tamlin retrieved three set nets and six sea trout from the river Teifi. He bagged the nets and fish and made his way back to the road. He was challenged and apprehended by Agency officers and then arrested. The nets, approximately 15 yards long, and fish, ranging in weight of between three and eight pounds, were seized from Tamlin. Tamlin pleaded guilty to placing set nets in the river Teifi at Dol Wyber and unlicensed fishing under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975. He also pleaded guilty to unlawful removal of fish, under the Theft Act 1968. The Theft Act charges were taken against Tamlin in partnership with the Teifi Trout Association, which hold the fishing rights at Dol Wyber.
The defendant had a previous conviction for illegal fisheries activity of this nature, and was fully aware that he was committing offenses which were clearly for financial gain.
Rhodri Thomas, Environmental Crime Officer with the Agency, said after the case: “This is another successful poaching prosecution for us in the Teifi Valley. We are glad to be able to work with angling clubs such as the Teifi Trout Association to bring charges against poachers under the Theft Act. This will hopefully deter such activity in the future and send a clear message that the community and Environment Agency Wales will not tolerate the illegal exploitation of our local environment and amenity.”
Wayne Bishop, from the Teifi Trout Association said: “Poaching activity of this nature has a direct impact on our organisation. We are directly funded by both local and visiting anglers, and adverse publicity such as poaching can damage our source of income. 10 years ago it was estimated that angling is worth £2 million each year to the Teifi Valley. All efforts should be made to protect this. The loss of six adult hen sea trout of this size, will also have and obvious detrimental effect on the Teifi catchment in terms of future stocks.
Surveillance Operation nets Teifi Valley Poacher
Painstaking surveillance work by Environment Agency Wales fisheries enforcement officers has paid off with a 120 hours community order imposed on a local man for poaching on the River Teifi. Christopher Daniel Tamlin, of Maes Y Ffynnon, Lloyds Terrace, Newcastle Emlyn was also ordered to pay £100 costs after pleading guilty to three charges, relating to poaching. The case, brought by Environment Agency Wales, was heard at Cardigan Magistrates Court on the 6th of December 2007. On the 7th of June 2007 Agency Fisheries Officers received information of illegal nets set in the Teifi at Newcastle Emlyn, in an area locally known as the ‘Weirs’. The officers, acting on this information, took up concealed positions in the area close to the nets. On the following day, using surveillance equipment, they were able to observe a man moving towards the position of the nets at 05:20 from the direction of Newcastle Emlyn. Tamlin retrieved three set nets and six sea trout from the river Teifi. He bagged the nets and fish and made his way back to the road. He was challenged and apprehended by Agency officers and then arrested. The nets, approximately 15 yards long, and fish, ranging in weight of between three and eight pounds, were seized from Tamlin. Tamlin pleaded guilty to placing set nets in the river Teifi at Dol Wyber and unlicensed fishing under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975. He also pleaded guilty to unlawful removal of fish, under the Theft Act 1968. The Theft Act charges were taken against Tamlin in partnership with the Teifi Trout Association, which hold the fishing rights at Dol Wyber.
The defendant had a previous conviction for illegal fisheries activity of this nature, and was fully aware that he was committing offenses which were clearly for financial gain.
Rhodri Thomas, Environmental Crime Officer with the Agency, said after the case: “This is another successful poaching prosecution for us in the Teifi Valley. We are glad to be able to work with angling clubs such as the Teifi Trout Association to bring charges against poachers under the Theft Act. This will hopefully deter such activity in the future and send a clear message that the community and Environment Agency Wales will not tolerate the illegal exploitation of our local environment and amenity.”
Wayne Bishop, from the Teifi Trout Association said: “Poaching activity of this nature has a direct impact on our organisation. We are directly funded by both local and visiting anglers, and adverse publicity such as poaching can damage our source of income. 10 years ago it was estimated that angling is worth £2 million each year to the Teifi Valley. All efforts should be made to protect this. The loss of six adult hen sea trout of this size, will also have and obvious detrimental effect on the Teifi catchment in terms of future stocks.