Displaying items by tag: kings lynn angling association

Fish Legal has successfully settled a civil action against a poacher on behalf of its member club the King's Lynn Angling Association.

Fish Legal issued proceedings against Mr Chirokov, who was one of three men arrested by police on 25th May 2008 at a makeshift camp set up on the banks of the Wissey from where they took fish illegally from the river over a number of days.

When apprehended by the police, the group had in their possession an assortment of fishing paraphernalia including a commercial-type gill net, a crayfish trap, several baited rods, two dinghies and a large number of live fish threaded through the gills onto a washing line and submerged in the water in an attempt to keep them fresh.

During a hearing at King's Lynn County Court on 7th October 2009, the defendant gave an undertaking – or sealed promise – to the judge that he would not trespass or fish on the club’s waters at any time in the future. If found in breach of this undertaking, the defendant could face a charge of contempt of court which carries with it the possibility of a prison sentence.

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of Fish Legal said:
“Poaching is not simply an irritation for anglers but, as in this case, it can have a detrimental impact on fish populations. There are also welfare issues to consider, as the fish had been threaded onto a line to keep them alive for hours”.

He added:
“Although two other poachers were successfully prosecuted by the police, there was insufficient evidence to prosecute this defendant, which is why Fish Legal pressed forward with a civil action to ensure that he didn't go back to the waters”.

Ashley Brown of the King's Lynn Angling Association said:
“There clearly is a problem with poachers taking fish so we hope this sends out a clear message that King’s Lynn AA will take legal action against anyone caught taking fish from their waters. It is unfortunate that we have to resort to this but we have spent over £2000 with help from the EA on signage warning no fish can be taken and these are being ignored. I would like to thank Fish Legal for taking on our case."

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Fish Legal, the legal arm of the newly-formed Angling Trust, has taken decisive action against a team of poachers operating in Eastern England. The poachers were found guilty but were fined just £60 and had their equipment confiscated. Fish Legal’s lawyers have threatened the poachers with an injunction to prevent them returning.

Angling Trust chief executive said: “one of the priorities of the Angling Trust is to fight for better protection of fish stocks from poachers and other illegal activity. This action should send a clear message to all poachers that we mean business and will use all legal means to prevent them damaging our members’ interests.”

Letters were sent by recorded delivery to the poachers ahead of court action asking them to make an enforceable promise that they will never again fish on waters of the King’s Lynn Angling Association (KLAA). If they do not agree to the undertaking, then Fish Legal will apply for injunctions against them.

On the 25th May 2008 police arrested three men on the banks of the River Wissey near Hilgay, and took them to Downham Market Police station where two of the men were later charged. The individuals had been found with an assortment of fishing paraphernalia including a 60m x 2m net, a crayfish trap, several rods and two boats – one with an outboard engine. The men had set up camp on the bank and were barbequing some of their haul. In a particularly cruel attempt to keep their illegal catch fresh, fish – including tench and perch - had been threaded onto a wire which was then submerged.

All of the men arrested initially denied the charges brought against them. During police questioning, one of the offenders imaginatively claimed that the large net containing fish found in his possession was not his but had become entangled in his boat propeller.

Two of the group were subsequently convicted at Central South and West Norfolk Magistrates Court for a variety of offences under both the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 and the Theft Act 1968, including fishing in the closed season, fishing without a rod licence and illegal use of a net.

Ashley Brown, Secretary of the KLAA, explained: “The club has spent over £2000, with help from the Environment Agency, putting signage on all access points on club waters highlighting that no fish can be removed. When the defendants were arrested KLAA hoped the courts would make an example of them. KLAA felt very let down with the outcome and so decided to contact Fish Legal for advice on whether we could take further action as we needed a deterrent to stop people stealing our fish as these are the future of the club”.

This one of many benefits of membership of the Angling Trust and Fish Legal for clubs, commercial fisheries and riparian owners. This work can only be carried out with the support of thousands of individual anglers.

For more information on membership of Angling Trust, visit Angling Trust or phone 0844 7700616.