I
Ian Cloke
Guest
As salmon return to Cornwall?s rivers to spawn members of the public have been asked to become the ?Eyes and Ears? of the Environment Agency in the latest crackdown on salmon poachers.
Salmon are especially vulnerable at this time of the year as they make their way up rivers such as the Tamar to spawn. In addition to man-made and natural obstacles such as fish passes and weirs, the fish have to run the gauntlet of poachers.
Operation ?Eyes and Ears? seeks to enlist the help of people with a keen interest in Cornwall?s top-quality salmon rivers to stop salmon poachers in their tracks. By reporting suspicious behaviour to the Agency?s free 24 hour hotline 0800 80 70 60, members of the public can help bring poachers to book.
The better the information, the more effective the Environment Agency can be in catching and successfully prosecuting poachers. To raise awareness, a special leaflet has been prepared and is being distributed to fishery owners and anyone else keen to safeguard Cornwall?s salmon stocks.
When reporting suspicious activities on the Duchy?s riverbanks, people need to record what they saw, where they saw it, the date and time plus descriptions of people and vehicle registrations. Speed is essential as the sooner the Agency?s fisheries enforcement officers receive a ?tip-off? the faster they can act.
?The illegal removal of spawning salmon from Cornish rivers is putting future salmon stocks at risk. It is vital these mature fish reach their spawning grounds in the headwaters of our prime salmon rivers such as the Tamar. Members of the public can play a vital role in helping catch salmon poachers by supporting our Eyes and Ears campaign,? said Megan Evans for the Environment Agency.
People can report an incident anonymously if they wish. All information will be treated in strict
confidence.
Salmon are especially vulnerable at this time of the year as they make their way up rivers such as the Tamar to spawn. In addition to man-made and natural obstacles such as fish passes and weirs, the fish have to run the gauntlet of poachers.
Operation ?Eyes and Ears? seeks to enlist the help of people with a keen interest in Cornwall?s top-quality salmon rivers to stop salmon poachers in their tracks. By reporting suspicious behaviour to the Agency?s free 24 hour hotline 0800 80 70 60, members of the public can help bring poachers to book.
The better the information, the more effective the Environment Agency can be in catching and successfully prosecuting poachers. To raise awareness, a special leaflet has been prepared and is being distributed to fishery owners and anyone else keen to safeguard Cornwall?s salmon stocks.
When reporting suspicious activities on the Duchy?s riverbanks, people need to record what they saw, where they saw it, the date and time plus descriptions of people and vehicle registrations. Speed is essential as the sooner the Agency?s fisheries enforcement officers receive a ?tip-off? the faster they can act.
?The illegal removal of spawning salmon from Cornish rivers is putting future salmon stocks at risk. It is vital these mature fish reach their spawning grounds in the headwaters of our prime salmon rivers such as the Tamar. Members of the public can play a vital role in helping catch salmon poachers by supporting our Eyes and Ears campaign,? said Megan Evans for the Environment Agency.
People can report an incident anonymously if they wish. All information will be treated in strict
confidence.