The Environment
Agency is warning that offenders caught
using illegal fish traps on rivers and lakes
will be prosecuted
Fisheries enforcement
officers are currently targeting known hotspots
in the Thames region where traps are reportedly
being used for taking fish out of the water.
Fish, which include the non-native crayfish,
are being illegally trapped and removed
for consumption.
Obtaining Environment
Agency permission for trapping is essential,
as regulating the removal of fish from local
waters protects fish stocks from excessive
exploitation. Many homemade traps have the
potential to reduce populations of native
fish species, and can also ensnare other
wildlife - including protected species such
as water voles and otters.
Andy Strevens, the Environment
Agency’s strategic specialist for fisheries,
said: ”We rely on the sharp eyes and quick
thinking of the general public, and our
incident hotline (0800 8070 60) has proved
invaluable in providing evidence of illegal
fishing. The information provided by callers
helps to target resources more efficiently.
“We are now concentrating
our resources with the firm intention of
challenging those using illegal traps. Our
message is: make sure you know the law -
obtain consent before trapping or face the
consequences.”
Anyone wanting to fish
with traps must obtain written consent from
the Environment Agency. This is a legal
requirement, and the use of unauthorised
traps is a criminal offence for which offenders
can expect a fine in court. Even taking
crayfish, which are deemed a nuisance by
many anglers, requires permission from the
Environment Agency and landowner.
Enforcement officers
will challenge anyone found in possession
of trapping equipment to prove that permission
has been granted, and will have the right
to seize traps deemed illegal.
Clubs or individuals
who wish to use fish traps for fisheries
management purposes can apply for consent
via the Environment Agency or visit our
website for more advice.
Applicants can visit
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/ and
more information can also be found at http://www.efishbusiness.com/
+ More
Environment Agency stops
ship leaving the UK for scrapping
The Environment Agency
has taken swift action to stop a tanker
ship – the Margaret Hill – from leaving
the UK on the suspicion it was due to head
abroad for illegal dismantling
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- 07 AUGUST 2009
Vessel detained by Environment
Agency in Southampton whilst investigations
continue - The Environment Agency has today
(Friday) taken swift action to stop a tanker
ship – the Margaret Hill – from leaving
the UK on the suspicion it was due to head
abroad for illegal dismantling. This is
the first time these powers have been used
to stop a ship from leaving a UK port.
Late on Wednesday 5
August, the Environment Agency was made
aware of concerns regarding the proposed
sailing of the Margaret Hill, a 50,700-tonne
liquid natural gas tanker, currently docked
in Southampton. Information suggested the
ship, which is likely to contain hazardous
materials such as asbestos, may be destined
for dismantling at an undisclosed facility
abroad.
Under international
law, anyone intending to send a waste ship
from England and Wales abroad for dismantling
must first obtain permission from the Environment
Agency and our equivalent regulators in
the proposed destination country.
Waste ships containing
hazardous materials can only be dismantled
at properly authorised dismantling facilities
in either the EU or an Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
country. They cannot be sent to dismantling
facilities in countries outside the EU or
OECD such as India or Bangladesh.
As the Environment Agency
has not received nor approved any application
to export the Margaret Hill, it has used
its powers to put a temporary stop on the
export of the ship to prevent any potential
contravention of the rules on waste exports.
Liz Parkes, Head of
Waste and Resource Management at the Environment
Agency, said:
“Prompt investigation
carried out by Environment Agency officers
using the intelligence provided by the Maritime
and Coastguard Agency has ensured that this
ship does not leave the UK until we are
clear about what is happening to it.
“We are continuing our
discussions with those involved, including
the finance company who recently took possession
of the ship, to establish what is happening
to it and to make them aware of the procedures
that must be followed if they intend the
ship to be exported for recycling.
“There are rules in
place to ensure waste ships do not end up
in developing countries, and cause damage
to people and the environment. The Environment
Agency will only give permission for a waste
ship to be exported if it is going to an
authorised recycling site in a country that
wants to accept it and has necessary agreements
in place.”
ENDS
Spokespeople are available
for interview on request from the Press
Office.
Media enquiries: 020
7863 8710 or outside normal office hours,
please contact the National Duty Press Officer
on 07798 882 092.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Stop notices have been
issued to four parties who have control
over the movement of the ship – the harbourmaster
at Associated British Port of Southampton,
Fortress Investment Group (UK) Ltd, V Ships
UK Ltd and the master of the vessel Margaret
Hill.
A list of the OECD countries
can be found at www.oecd.org/countrieslist/0,3351,en_33873108_33844430_1_1_1_1_1,00.html.
For more information
about the rules on exporting waste see www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/sectors/32447.aspx.
