A TIME TO MOVE

I refer to recent articles in the angling press regarding the lack of EA Bailiffs on certain English Rivers and I feel that the time has come to open a discussion within the angling community as to how best we address this emotive issue.

To be fair to the EA they are under funded, understaffed, and under fire by every other organisation that has an interest in the environment.  Think about it, Angling is not the only area of concern that they have to deal with. 

Whilst we can all sit back and decry the efforts of the EA, what are the bulk of “concerned” anglers doing about it?  As usual the majority of us do nothing, apart from moan, whilst a minority chase around trying to keep the whole thing together.  Well, rather than slating these individuals and organisations for there lack of success or resolve maybe it’s about time the “concerned anglers” got off their backsides, gave some support and did something about it.

In Scotland we don’t have the luxury of Government funded Bailiffs we have a mixture of Salmon Bailiffs, paid for by the district boards, and where Protection Orders operate, volunteer Freshwater Fishery Wardens for non –migratory species. Who pays for their training? - The District Boards and Liaison committees that operate them.  Currently the cost of training an individual Freshwater Fishery Warden is not more than £10 per person.

What do you get in Scotland for £10 per head?  You receive training in angling law, protocols and procedures, methods of angling, risk assessing, health and safety, report writing, court and evidential procedures, and eventually a via the Scottish Environmental & Rural Affairs Department a warrant card to enforce the law.

This is already happening in Scotland, how do I know? Well, I am involved in the delivery and operation of some of these Warden training courses (we also include lunch in the price). 

I would suggest that the EA needs help to get its house in order and we all have to consider how to effectively manage and police the watercourses under EA control.  We know that the resources available to the EA are finite and that things can only get worse for all of us over the next few years.   The current situation cannot be allowed to go on much longer as the losses of stock in our waters will continue. 

There must be changes in the current Fishery legislation to enable the angling community to voluntarily participate in the protection of our sport.  If the angling community is resolved to engage in this process then by all working together a result is achievable. 

I don’t propose that we train the volunteer sector to the same level as a professional bailiff should be trained.  It would be worth considering that any volunteer wardens trained should be used as the eyes and ears of the EA and issued with limited statutory powers.  One thought would be to give them the power to issue fixed penalty tickets to angler’s breaching certain rules within the legislation similar to a traffic warden enforcing parking restrictions.  This way they are more easily trained, not required too handle cash, and their activities can be monitored to gauge their success.

I am sure that certain vested interests will rail against my views, but it is not rocket science to train a Bailiff.  If there is a will it can be achieved.  A course can be designed and delivered within the angling community calling upon the expertise within the 4 million anglers in the UK to assist in that delivery.  What is needed is a resolve by Anglers to ensure that this occurs.  

Grev Humphrey