Billy-No-Fish
19th May 2009, 13:33
Fish Legal serves notice to River Sence trespassers
Two brothers responsible for illegal dredging on the River Sence have been put on notice by Fish Legal that injunctions will be sought against them should any future trespass occur on the fishery owned by the Gopsall Fishing Club.
In December 2007, despite being warned by the Environment Agency not to proceed, the brothers used a JCB to carry out their own flood defence works at two location on the Sence at Congerstone. The pair dug out gravels, silt and leaf debris from the river bed and dumped it on the banks of the river, breaching sections of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 and Regional Land Drainage Byelaws. Having dredged the riverbed the offenders proceeded to cut into the banks and widen the channel.
The dredging was carried out during the trout spawning season. It is thought that the works harmed redds on the stretches and downstream of the dredging. For the Gopsall FC this is particularly upsetting having been awarded the Wild Trout Trust and Orvis conservation award in 2007 for their work. In addition to managing the river for trout, the club has worked tirelessly in conjunction with local Wildlife Trusts, the University of Derby and Twycross Zoo to improve the habitat of the Sence for the benefit of wildlife. Stretches of the river are managed for water vole, otters and white clawed crayfish and have attracted the attention of the RSPB who visited the club to learn techniques for managing rivers under stewardship.
Both individuals responsible for the un-consented dredging were questioned by the Environment Agency under caution and admitted committing the offences. However the Agency decided not to take the matter further. The club were appalled at this decision and turned to Fish Legal to pursue the matter on their behalf. “
Two brothers responsible for illegal dredging on the River Sence have been put on notice by Fish Legal that injunctions will be sought against them should any future trespass occur on the fishery owned by the Gopsall Fishing Club.
In December 2007, despite being warned by the Environment Agency not to proceed, the brothers used a JCB to carry out their own flood defence works at two location on the Sence at Congerstone. The pair dug out gravels, silt and leaf debris from the river bed and dumped it on the banks of the river, breaching sections of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 and Regional Land Drainage Byelaws. Having dredged the riverbed the offenders proceeded to cut into the banks and widen the channel.
The dredging was carried out during the trout spawning season. It is thought that the works harmed redds on the stretches and downstream of the dredging. For the Gopsall FC this is particularly upsetting having been awarded the Wild Trout Trust and Orvis conservation award in 2007 for their work. In addition to managing the river for trout, the club has worked tirelessly in conjunction with local Wildlife Trusts, the University of Derby and Twycross Zoo to improve the habitat of the Sence for the benefit of wildlife. Stretches of the river are managed for water vole, otters and white clawed crayfish and have attracted the attention of the RSPB who visited the club to learn techniques for managing rivers under stewardship.
Both individuals responsible for the un-consented dredging were questioned by the Environment Agency under caution and admitted committing the offences. However the Agency decided not to take the matter further. The club were appalled at this decision and turned to Fish Legal to pursue the matter on their behalf. “