Blitz on River Teifi poachers (From Tivyside Advertiser)

Blitz on River Teifi poachers

10:40am Tuesday 25th May 2010

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Gangs of poachers are taking large numbers of salmon and sewin (sea trout) in the lower reaches of the River Teifi giving rise to serious concerns over the livelihood of licensed netsmen, fish stocks and the tourist industry.

And not only is the illegal netting taking place under cover of darkness but also in broad daylight.

With the going rate for salmon and sewin between £4.50 and £5 per pound, and an abundance of fish in the river just now, poaching can be very lucrative.

A new byelaw makes it illegal to buy or sell migratory fish not caught by licensed netsmen such as coracle handlers and Seine fishermen and identified by Environment Agency tags.

But the poachers apparently have outlets other than hotels and restaurants and are making a killing. One of the most audacious expeditions took place at mid morning in Cardigan last week when visitors and locals had a grandstand view of a swoop by water bailiffs who arrested three men between Priory Bridge on the bypass and the old road bridge.

After a gill net - known as a ‘blocker’ - was strung across the river the Environment Agency received an anonymous tip off from a member of the public who spotted the corks on the illegal net.

As the poachers retrieved the net, which contained several fish, a team of water bailiffs pounced and took all three into custody.

The men, aged between 19 and 20, and from the Cardigan area, have been summoned to appear in court at a later date.

The Environment Agency is stepping up operations against the poachers and has appealed to the public to report anything suspicious on a 24-hour hotline (tel. 0800 80 70 60).

The Agency’s crime team leader Lyn Richards said: “Taking just one spawning salmon or sewin will have a significant impact on the fish population.”

He added that as well as a blitz on poachers the Agency was continuing a detailed investigation into the buying and selling of illegally caught untagged migratory fish.

Using an illegal net carries a maximum fine of £2,500 and unlicensed fishing a £5,000 fine and a possible prison sentence.

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