15-May-2006 - Two films
produced by the Environment Agency, including
an interview with Chief Executive, Barbara Young,
on global environmental priorities will showcase
on the world’s first broadband TV channel dedicated
to environmental issues.
Green TV is supported by the
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and
launched last month globally. In an interview
accessible on the website, Barbara Young describes
climate change as the number one environmental
issue facing the globe.
"Climate change is clearly
the biggest issue that we all face," Barbara
Young said.
"Its clear from research
that we’ve got a very short window in which decisions
can be made to redress the growth in greenhouse
gases. We can all do something - we can save energy,
we can not use the car and walk to work. We’ve
got to get a lot smarter about how we use natural
resources," she said.
Also showcasing on the website
is a film by the Environment Agency about fisheries
enforcement and our efforts to curb poaching and
prevent impacts on fish stocks.
Fisheries enforcement - the
facts:
Currently more than 200 Environment
Agency officers undertake fisheries enforcement
work across England and Wales in an effort to
stop poachers taking fish illegally;
Our water bailiffs use the latest methods, equipment
and technology - including remote surveillance,
infrared and video cameras, forensic investigation
and are trained in surveillance, apprehension
and arrest procedures. They spend many hours monitoring
rivers and tackling illegal fishing in an effort
to ensure stocks of fish - such as salmon, sea
trout and eels - remain strong;
Fines for illegal fishing in Magistrates Courts
are up to £2500. This increases for cases
taken to the Crown Court that can also result
in imprisonment and fines of up to £50,000;
Illegal fishing includes:
attempting to take fish in prohibited
periods and areas;
using gaffs, lights, poisons, guns;
foul hooking of fish; and
using unlicensed instruments including nets
Environment Agency Team Leader
Fisheries, Jeremy Westgarth, who is featured in
the fisheries enforcement film, says: "Poaching
on rivers can have a massive impact on the actual
number of salmon and sea trout that return each
year to spawn.
"Every single egg that
is laid is vitally important - if they are removed
they will not be replaced again in that season
and if that happens year on year we will eventually
see stocks being wiped out.
"There is a black market
value in wild salmon - poachers take the fish
to clubs and pubs and outlets to sell. The Environment
Agency is working with the people who accept the
fish for sale - so they realise the impact they
are having on fish stocks. They also need to know
that anyone handling illegally taken fish is committing
an offence and may be prosecuted.
"We are closing the net
around poaching. The message is very clear if
you are fishing illegally we will catch you eventually,"
he said.
