Environment Agency waterways stars win back their stripes

Posted on 25/01/2012 by Admin

 

The Environment Agency has reintroduced merchant navy insignia for its enforcement patrol crews on the River Thames.
The new insignia will help make Environment Patrol Officers more recognisable to boaters and other river users whilst improving their effectiveness as a deterrent to unruly or illegal behaviour.
The insignia is displayed on epaulettes worn on the shoulders of employees’ uniforms – but this is not the first time the insignia has been used by Environment Agency patrol officers. The original merchant navy insignia was replaced in 2007 by a more modern version which incorporated the Environment Agency logo with elements of the old Thames Conservancy branding.
Nick McKie-Smith, Waterways Enforcement Team Leader, said: “The feedback we’ve had from customers is that the previous insignia made our enforcement officers less visible to our customers and other river users. That visibility can nip certain incidents in the bud before they happen, removing the need for enforcement action in the first place, and this was something we lost.”
Although there was no marked increase in incidents on the river as a result of the previous insignia change, the enforcement team felt strongly that the old insignia would have been helpful in a number of tense and occasionally hostile situations.
The revived insignia uses combinations of stripes to identify specific roles and will be worn by Environment Agency boatmen, technical officers and waterways team leaders. Matt Carter, waterways operations manager will also wear insignia to denote his position as Harbourmaster for the River Thames, with responsibility for enforcing the requirements of legislation relating to the navigation of the river, as will Nick McKie-Smith as Assistant Harbourmaster.
“Our enforcement officers do a tough job and are arguably the unsung stars of the service we provide to boaters on the Thames. So I’m really pleased that the old insignia has been reintroduced, and allowed our officers  to win back their stripes. And I’m sure our customers will be pleased too.”
Reintroducing the merchant navy insignia will realign Environment Agency waterways employees with those of other harbour authorities in the UK and internationally, including its neighbour on the River Thames, the Port of London Authority.
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Anglers apprehended on River Rhymney

Posted on 23/01/2012 by Admin
Environment Agency Wales officers have caught two men fishing out of season on the River Rhymney.
The men, a 22-year-old and a 49-year-old from Caerphilly, were apprehended near Draethen, at around 4.30pm on Thursday, 19 January, after they were reported by a member of the public.
The officers seized one salmon which had been taken by the men, along with a rod, net and other fishing equipment which were believed to be connected with the alleged offences. Fishing out of season has a serious impact on salmon stocks in our rivers and an impact on angling tourism and the local economy.
Rhys Hughes, Environment Agency Wales, said: “Poaching at any time of year significantly threatens the future stocks of salmon in the River Rhymney. “We appreciate the assistance we receive from legitimate anglers to report any such activity and we urge anyone who sees suspicious activity to call our Incident Hotline on 0800 80 70 60.”
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Thames sewage works upgrade hits half-way mark

Posted on 19/01/2012 by Admin
A huge project to increase the capacity of one of London’s major sewage works by fifty per cent is now half-way to being complete, Thames Water announced today.
Mogden sewage works in Isleworth has been under going a major refurbishment since August 2010 as part of a London-wide scheme to invest £675m in all five sewage works in the capital.
These upgrades will increase the amount of sewage the sites can treat, greatly reducing the need to use the storm tanks and, because they will very rarely be full to capacity, for storm discharges to the river. Additionally this work will also improve the standard to which we treat sewage at each of the works, further boosting the quality of the River Thames.
The huge transformation at Modgen, costing £140m, will also ensure that the site can cope with the projected increase in population in the area served by the works.
Nick Fawcett, Thames Water’s Head of Programme Delivery, said: “We have done the bulk of the construction work and we’d like to thank the neighbours for bearing with us. “We’ve done everything we can to minimise disruption but the worst part is over, the foundations are in place and by spring this year half of the new works will be operating. “We still have a 200-strong team working on the site but the focus of the activity is now shifting from civil engineering – such as building foundations and tanks, to mechanical engineering and electrical installation, which will help to get the tanks up and running.” The completion of the inlet area in spring – where the sewage enters the site and is screened to remove large objects – and the primary tanks – where the heavy particles are then removed – means the existing primary tanks can be refurbished so they too are covered and odour-controlled as soon as possible.
Nick added: “Soil is still being stored on the embankment while we build the remaining tanks but this will be removed by the end of this year, ahead of the completion in March 2013.” Work is also being done to install additional power generators as an extra back-up so the site can still run even in the rare event of an electricity outage.
As a final stage, native trees, shrubs and herb-rich grassland will be planted on the site to encourage wildlife and to improve the view for neighbours.
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Fish in the Cherwell can travel upstream for the first time in hundreds of years

Posted on 16/01/2012 by Admin

 

Local fish populations will be able to swim upstream of Kidlington in the River Cherwell for the first time in hundreds of years following the completion of a new fish pass built by the Environment Agency.

 One of the Mill channels before installation of the fish pass with the impassable weir upstream
The new pool and traverse fish pass constructed from gabions – baskets filled with stones will allow fish to gain access past Kidlington Mill, which previously proved impassable to fish. The pass will allow fish populations access to new spawning grounds upstream of the mill.

Fish pass under construction

Tom Sherwood, Environment Agency Fisheries Officer for the Cherwell catchment said: ”This new fish pass improves the connectivity of the lower Cherwell. By allowing fish to by-pass Kidlington Mill they can now move unimpeded from Oxford all the way up to Shipton-on-Cherwell. Providing fish passage is important on all rivers as it allows fish to migrate upstream to utilise spawning grounds that might otherwise proved to be inaccessible.”
The new fish pass is part of a series of habitat enhancements that have been carried out over the last few months on the lower Cherwell to help improve local fish populations. Other schemes have been included to provide vital habitat for juvenile fish, including the creation of backwaters, which used to be a common feature on many of the region’s lowland rivers, but have been lost due to historical dredging. Spawning gravels have also been added to the bed of the Cherwell, which have contributed to preventing deterioration of the ecological status under the Water Framework Directive.

Completed new Channel
Much of the work has been undertaken in conjunction with the local angling club and the Kidlington Angling Society.
The project is partly funded by money from the Water Framework Directive. The Environment Agency receives money from the government to implement this directive, which is European legislation designed to improve and protect all waters – on the surface and underground.
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Angling Trust Welcome no Charges for Crayfish Trapping

Posted on 07/01/2012 by Admin
Angling’s representative body the Angling Trust has welcomed the Environment Agency’s announcement that proposed charges for trapping American non-native crayfish are to be dropped.

 

(Picture Angling Trust)
The Angling Trust submitted a response to the recent consultation on this subject urging the Environment Agency not to introduce this very unpopular charge.  Trust staff are delighted that anglers’ views have been taken into account.  A rapidly growing number of waters have been infested with signal crayfish, which eat young fish and eggs, burrow into river banks, and can make angling impossible in some waters.  The non-native crayfish also carry a plague against which native English crayfish have no immunity.
Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust said: “signal crayfish are a menace to fish and fishing and every effort must be taken to stop their spread and reduce their numbers. We are pleased that common sense has for once prevailed. To charge anglers and fishery managers for removing such a damaging critter from rivers and lakes would have been ridiculous.”
Licences will continue to be required to ensure that traps are properly designed and that trapping doesn’t cause damage through spread of disease.
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New full-time EA Fisheries Enforcement Officers for the East of England

Posted on 04/01/2012 by Admin
Fisheries across the East of England will now be protected by a new team of full-time Environment Agency Fisheries Enforcement Officers, replacing the old system of seasonal part-time bailiffs.
As well as visiting fisheries and carrying out rod licence checks, officers will work closely with police and the angling community to gather intelligence and target illegal fishing activities making better use of public money.
This means they could turn up anywhere, at any time, to disrupt illegal activities and catch law breakers in the act.
Spot checks will still continue and anglers should make sure they have the proper licence before they head out fishing, or they could have their equipment seized, be prosecuted and face a court fine of up to £2,500.
Over the coming months, angling clubs, fisheries owners and tackle shops will get to know their local Fisheries Enforcement Officer well.
Lesley Robertson, Environmental Crime Team Leader said the new posts would ensure a better service for anglers.   “We will be able to respond to reports of potential illegal fishing activities seven days a week.  I would encourage anybody who sees or knows of any suspicious activities, such as fish being stolen or moved without the necessary consent, to phone our free incident hotline 0800 80 70 60”
Across England and Wales the Agency check around 100,000 rod licences a year. 
“People who don’t pay are cheating fellow anglers.  Licence sales generate more than £25 million in revenue each year, and the Environment Agency ploughs this directly back into the sport.  The rod licence fee therefore helps to pay for habitat improvement works, fisheries research, monitoring and advice for the fishing community,” said Lesley.
Buying a new rod licence couldn't be easier – around 15,000 Post Offices and other outlets sell them. Alternatively, payment can be made via direct debit, over the telephone on 0844 800 5386 or online any time at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence.
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Angling Trades Association Warns Against Illegal Lead Weights

Posted on 22/12/2011 by Admin

 

Anglers are being urged to avoid purchasing lead weights in sizes that are illegal for angling use. The call – made by the Angling Trades Association (ATA) – comes after it conducted research into the sale of lead shot on the internet and in ‘pound shops’. This revealed that some illegal weights are being offered for sale, leaving both the sellers and the users liable to prosecution.
Since 1986, lead fishing weights of between 0.06 and 28.35 grams (No.6 shot to 1oz) have been banned from sale and use for the purpose of weighting fishing lines in the UK. The legislation was enacted specifically to protect mute swans from accidental poisoning through the ingestion of accidentally discarded lead weights. A large range of non-toxic alternatives have been developed and these weights are in widespread use.
Despite the non-toxic alternatives being widely available, lead split shot in the illegal sizes are still being offered for sale on the internet. In most cases, the seller will point out the illegality of using the shot for weighting anglers’ lines in England and Wales but this is very often found only in the smallest of print at the bottom of the advert. ‘Pound shops’ occasionally offer illegal lead weights for sale, but the weights are invariably withdrawn from sale once the owners are alerted to any breach of the law.
Naidre Werner, Chairman of the ATA, said: “Anglers have a long and proud record of environmental responsibility. Nevertheless, among the millions who fish each year will be some people who are unfamiliar with the lead weights legislation who might, through ignorance, break the law. The ATA is encouraging every angler to check his or her tackle carefully to ensure that it meets the regulations and to carefully check the small print on any online purchases that they make”.
Trading Standards have responsibility for enforcing the legislation on the sale of illegal lead weights, and the use of illegal weight is covered by the regional fishery byelaws, upheld by the Environment Agency (in England and Wales).
The ATA is contacting all 200 Trading Standards departments, run by local authorities, to ensure that officers are aware of the law and the need to prevent illegal lead weights being offered for sale.
Commenting on the initiative, Naidre continued: “Legitimate manufacturers and retailers support this initiative, particularly because it removes any trading advantage that some sellers may hope to gain by offering illegal weights for sale. This will also help prevent anglers inadvertently purchasing and using illegal equipment”.
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Thames Water ordered to pay over £24,000 for sewage spill

Posted on 15/12/2011 by Admin
A water company which caused untreated sewage to enter the Arford Stream and Lakes in East Hampshire killing hundreds of fish, was yesterday (Wednesday 14 December) ordered to pay a total of £24,015 by magistrates.
Thames Water, based in Reading, admitted two charges of failing to notify the Environment Agency of the discharge and was fined £16,000, made to pay £8,000 costs and a £15 victim surcharge by Aldershot Magistrates’ Court. The charge was brought under the Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regulations 2010.
The court heard that on 5 December 2010 the Environment Agency received a report from a member of the public about dead fish in the Arford Lakes. The Lakes are on-line on the Arford Stream and downstream of the Arford Sewage Pumping Station which is operated by Thames Water. The Company was contacted and they confirmed that an incident had started on 2 December. Environment Agency officers visited the site on the 6 December and noted dead fish, including chub, carp, sticklebacks and roach. The discharge from the pumping station had stopped, but officers found sewage fungus and debris in the stream, along with a strong smell of sewage in the air, the lakes were also grey in colour.
Water quality samples were taken to check levels of ammonia, suspended solids and oxygen.  The measurements indicated sewage pollution at levels consistent with the death of the fish. The sewage reduced the levels of oxygen in the water and officers deployed two aerators, alongside Thames Water’s three, to pump air back into the lakes. Hydrogen peroxide was also added to help release oxygen into the water.
During the investigation the Environment Agency were informed that Thames Water had a number of alarms indicating pump failures at the site. When pumps fail or cannot keep up with the flow in the station the sewage level will rise until it reaches a point where it will overflow to the stream.  The site permit does allow for emergency overflows when the pumps fail, but it also requires Thames Water to notify the Environment Agency of the overflow.  Thames Water failed to give this notification and it was not until the 5 December that the Environment Agency received a call from a member of the public that there had been an incident.   As a result, the actions taken to increase oxygen levels were too late for the many fish that had already died.
Neil Martin, who investigated the incident for the Environment Agency, said: “This was a distressing incident and it was upsetting to see so many fish either dead or gasping for life. The area is popular with anglers and is fished regularly and we found that over 300 fish died in the lakes.”
“Water companies have a statutory duty to comply with the conditions of their permits, which Thames Water had not done in this case. It sends a clear message to other companies that if you fail in your environmental responsibilities you may be prosecuted.”
Charges
The defendant was charged with 2 offences of failing to comply with or contravening an environmental permit conditions, namely failing to notify the Environment Agency as soon as practicable (1) when there is potential for operation of the emergency overflow in the event of failure or breakdown of the pumping station and (2) after receipt of an overflow telemetry warning that operation of the emergency overflow has taken place at Arford Pumping Station, Arford, Hampshire, between 1 December 2010 and 7 December 2010, contrary to Regulation38(2) of the Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regulations 2010. 
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Martin Salter joins the Angling Trust

Posted on 15/12/2011 by Admin
Big names from the worlds of fishing and politics have this week welcomed the appointment of former parliamentary angling spokesman Martin Salter as the new National Campaigns Coordinator for the Angling Trust.

Martin, who stood down from the House of Commons at the last election, has recently returned from 'a fishing and writing sabbatical' in Australia which saw him publish a landmark report – Keep Australia Fishing – on the challenges facing the recreational fishing sector. Martin has made good his pre election promise to return and campaign for a better deal for both anglers and for the fisheries on which our sport depends. This new, part time post has been made possible following donations from the Angling Trades Association (ATA) and two individual benefactors who support the Angling Trust.

Martin is to be based within the Angling Trust but will be working across the sector as a whole to promote greater unity and improved joint working. In addition to assisting in campaigning, fundraising and political lobbying, Martin hopes to help drive up membership and increase participation in both the AT and ATA.

National Campaigns Coordinator – Principal Roles:
– Supporting angling participation programmes
– Liaising with angling trades & other representative angling bodies
– Parliamentary and Ministerial liaison and political lobbying
– Membership recruitment & engagement
– Campaigns and communication
– Raising the media profile of angling
– Strategy advice and policy development

Martin's appointment has been strongly endorsed by those at the very top of angling in the UK.

Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon MP said:
"I am really pleased that Martin will be active in the Angling Trust working with the Angling Trades Association to promote angling across the UK. Over the years I have built a healthy respect for Martin's knowledge and passion for angling. I look forward to working with him in his new role and to seeing more people of all ages on our river banks and lakes."

Robin Morley, Sales Director of Daiwa UK said:
" I am delighted that we have managed to secure Martin Salter's services to encourage, support and promote angling in the UK. Having known Martin for many years I know his passion for angling, not to mention his vast experience gained over the previous 13 years in Parliament, will prove invaluable in promoting angling to the level it deserves.

I would also like to thank all the UK tackle companies who have made this possible by their contributions to the Angling Participation Fund organised by the Angling Trade Association (ATA)"

Charles Walker MP, Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Angling said:
"I believe that Martin Salter has been one of the most outstanding politicians of his generation when it comes to the championing of fishing interests. His depth and breadth of knowledge continues to be appreciated across the political spectrum, as does his campaigning zeal."

Mark Lloyd, Angling Trust Chief Executive said "Martin Salter is quite simply the best person the Angling Trust could possibly employ to campaign for anglers' interests. He has great contacts in Parliament, an encyclopaedic knowledge of angling and fisheries issues, and huge experience of communicating and lobbying at every level. We are very grateful to everyone who donated to make this possible. We hope that his appointment will encourage more individual anglers to get off the fence and join the Angling Trust so that we can continue to expand our work fighting for fish and fishing."

Naidre Werner, Chairman of the Angling Trades Association said:
" With a fabulous contribution from the trade, we are able to enlist someone of Martin's calibre and experience to raise the profile of angling and benefit of us all. The next twelve months will be very exciting."

Wildlife photographer and film maker Hugh Miles said:
"Our rivers and fish life are in desperate trouble and we couldn't wish for a more energetic and efficient champion to fight their corner than Martin Salter".

Chris Yates, author and former record carp holder said:
"To have such a committed, experienced and passionate campaigner as Martin Salter fighting for our rivers will give every angler cause for hope and I applaud his appointment to the Angling Trust."

Paul Knight, CEO of the Salmon and Trout Association added:
"S&TA is very pleased to see Martin Salter back involved in angling and fisheries politics in England. We worked very closely with him when he was Angling Liaison Officer for the last Government, and we look forward to doing so again as he looks to unite the different approaches from the various angling and fisheries organisations into a unified voice for the benefit of both the sport and the aquatic resource upon which it depends."

Angling writer and travel guide John Bailey said:
"I have known Martin for several years now and worked with him on a number of projects. I remain impressed by his vision, his energy and his ability to communicate. Above all, I like his obvious sincerity. Martin is no glib politician, he cares through and through for the causes he espouses. He is a terrific friend of angling and I for one will give him all my support. I really hope we have the opportunity to work together again in 2012 and do something positive for the sport we loveand believe in. This is, I believe, a really positive move for the Angling Trust and has made me personally want to get more on board."

Angling columnist and broadcaster Keith Arthur added:
" Since I have known Martin and, more importantly the job he has done for angling, the more I am convinced that he is what we need to carry our message. He is the perfect advocate for our sport, in my opinion."

Mike Thrussell, Director, World Sea Fishing Ltd added:
" Martin Salter has a proven passion and track record for both defending and promoting angling. His appointment to the Angling Trust as National Campaigns Coordinator brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, influential contacts and know how that will push angling to the forefront and also contribute greatly to maintaining and growing the sport for the future. My hope and expectation is that his known ability to bring people together will also help unify and strengthen the sport so that anglers from all disciplines work together to secure a positive future."

Martin Salter concluded:
" After an 18 month break to re-charge my batteries it's great to be back and fighting for fishing. I particularly grateful to Mark Lloyd at the AT and Naidre Werner at the ATA for giving me the opportunity to put my skills, experience and contacts to good use and for the benefit of the sport we all love.

My first job is to recruit some high profile ambassadors to help me raise the profile of the Angling Trust so that it can become a really strong and powerful voice for recreational fishing and the environment. I'm particularly keen to get some effective outcomes from the current Defra review of cormorant predation which has caused so much damage to fish stocks.

I am already lined up to attend a range of ministerial and other meetings and will be addressing conferences and supporting the excellent work of Angling Trust campaigners Mark Owen (Freshwater) and David Mitchell (Sea Angling) and the legal team headed by Justin Neal. I will be the main point of contact with my former colleagues on the All Party Parliamentary Group on Angling and will be developing and helping to implement a wider angling and fisheries campaign strategy for 2012."
 

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Angling Trust and Environment Agency launch Special Bailiff scheme

Posted on 09/12/2011 by Admin

 

Research shows that fish theft and illegal fishing are the two biggest concerns for today's angler.
By joining the Angling Trust and Environment Agency "Special Bailiff Scheme" anglers can help stamp out fish theft on rivers, lakes, canals and estuaries helping to preserve fisheries for generations to come.
The Angling Trust and Environment Agency are running a three year pilot in the Environment Agency South East Region to prove the effectiveness of well trained volunteers in acting as a back up to full time Environment Agency bailiffs in their difficult task of policing our fisheries.
Volunteers in the South East are invited to apply now for this opportunity to make a difference.
The Angling Trust is initially looking for twelve volunteers in each of the four areas within Environment Agency South East, forty-eight in total, to work as part of the Angling Trust Team. Volunteers will be subject to a CRB check and will be expected to undergo a training course. They will then work in conjunction with the Environment Agency Team of Enforcement Officers delivering information on illegal activity and in the first year prove themselves capable of monitoring and reporting activities on rivers, lakes, canals and estuaries in their local area, not just on their own club or syndicate waters.
After the first year some volunteers will be offered the opportunity to train for a Management Restricted Environment Agency Bailiff Warrant so that they can extend their duties into licence checking and byelaw offences and take an active role working alongside operational Agency bailiffs in the field. In this role they will be representing both the Angling Trust and the Environment Agency. To be eligible, volunteers will undergo an enhanced CRB check and will have special training to give them the skills needed when dealing with the public in what can be difficult circumstances.
During this period the Angling Trust will be recruiting further monitoring and reporting volunteers to act as eyes and ears and to provide the intelligence to guide the activities of the highly trained Environment Agency bailiffs and voluntary Special Bailiffs.
In year three, some Special Bailiffs will be offered the chance to become fully warranted Environment Agency Volunteer Bailiffs, working independently when licence checking and able to assist full time officers in active operations to apprehend fish thieves and others breaking national fishery byelaws.
Volunteers will be expected to offer an average of four hours a week to the scheme and will be in the vanguard of what the Angling Trust hope to develop into a fully equipped national team of volunteer bailiffs, much like Police Special Constables, working alongside full time Environment Agency Bailiffs who will be responsible for managing volunteer efforts. Applicants will work in the evenings and at weekends as well as during the day.
Volunteers will need to be reasonably fit and able to demonstrate good interpersonal skills, show the ability to write clear and concise reports, keep accurate notebook records and timesheets and have an intimate knowledge of the waters in their area as well as having a full driving licence and being able to swim. This is an Angling Trust initiative and applicants will need to be a member of the Angling Trust to receive insurance cover.
For an application pack contact the Angling Trust on 0844 7700616 (Option 1) or email bailiffs@anglingtrust.net
To join the Angling Trust call 0844 7700616 (Option 1) or go to www.anglingtrust.net

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