20 November 2012
Following an appeal by the Peterborough and District Angling Association, Shailesh Vara MP has managed to arrange a meeting to try to safeguard fish and other wild life in local waters.
The Association are very concerned that migrants from some European Union countries are fishing in the River Nene, but instead of returning the fish to the river, they are taking them home for consumption.
Efforts by the Association, Police and Environment Agency to stop this practice have so far met with little success and bailiffs who sell the fishing permits are increasingly being faced with intimidation when they try to enforce the rules.
Mr Andy Jackson, secretary of the local Association contacted Mr Vara to highlight the seriousness of the problem. Mr Vara had discussions with Mr Paul Phillipson, Executive Director for Operations at Peterborough City Council to find a way forward. Following the discussions, Mr Phillipson is arranging a meeting between some of the parties involved, including the Anglers, Police, Environment Agency and Council officers.
Mr Vara said:
“This is a serious problem and one that has been going on for quite a while. It is time to deal with it firmly. It is simply unacceptable that fish are being taken in this way and worse still that bailiffs are being subjected to intimidation when they try to enforce the rules.
“A number of agencies are involved and it is important that there is a coordinated approach. I am grateful to Mr Phillipson for arranging a meeting of all concerned with a view to finding a way forward.”
A statement from the Council said:
“Mr Paul Phillipson, Executive Director – Operations at Peterborough City Council has arranged a meeting with the Peterborough and District Angling Association, Environment Agency, Local Police and City Council officers with a view to discussing how we deal with this situation in a multi agency partnership, which will support the angling community.”
The Association are very concerned that migrants from some European Union countries are fishing in the River Nene, but instead of returning the fish to the river, they are taking them home for consumption.
Efforts by the Association, Police and Environment Agency to stop this practice have so far met with little success and bailiffs who sell the fishing permits are increasingly being faced with intimidation when they try to enforce the rules.
Mr Andy Jackson, secretary of the local Association contacted Mr Vara to highlight the seriousness of the problem. Mr Vara had discussions with Mr Paul Phillipson, Executive Director for Operations at Peterborough City Council to find a way forward. Following the discussions, Mr Phillipson is arranging a meeting between some of the parties involved, including the Anglers, Police, Environment Agency and Council officers.
Mr Vara said:
“This is a serious problem and one that has been going on for quite a while. It is time to deal with it firmly. It is simply unacceptable that fish are being taken in this way and worse still that bailiffs are being subjected to intimidation when they try to enforce the rules.
“A number of agencies are involved and it is important that there is a coordinated approach. I am grateful to Mr Phillipson for arranging a meeting of all concerned with a view to finding a way forward.”
A statement from the Council said:
“Mr Paul Phillipson, Executive Director – Operations at Peterborough City Council has arranged a meeting with the Peterborough and District Angling Association, Environment Agency, Local Police and City Council officers with a view to discussing how we deal with this situation in a multi agency partnership, which will support the angling community.”
