Cruel spears and hooks could maim or kill
HORRIFIC and cruel implements used to trap fish have been discovered along the River Trent in Burton.
Water bailiff John Anderson said the traps are so cruel they maim and kill anything they catch. They can also end up injuring waterfowl as they come across them on river banks.
Mr Anderson said the “reality of poaching is a far cry from the romantic novel image of a person tickling a few trout to feed their family” after the frightening traps were discovered by a water bailiff who was patrolling the river in Burton.
The bailiff discovered a spear and a weapon known as a ‘gaff’ which has large hooks on the end. If an animal gets caught in one of these it can lead to a slow and painful death. Not only fish but also waterfowl can get caught up in them, he said.
Poachers caught in the act of putting these traps in place could even use them against the bailiffs as they confront poachers while they are out on patrol, Mr Anderson fears.
Mr Anderson, who is the Coors
head bailiff and an Angling Trust VBS bailiff, said: “Our club bailiffs patrol the river through Burton several times a day to ensure any angling activity being carried out is done legally. We have had many instances of illegal activity which often involves practices which are very cruel.
“These weapons are a good example of the kind of illegal weaponry we sometimes see in use or, as in this case, hidden on the river bank. These offensive weapons – a spear and a gaff – have been reported to the police.
“They could be used against waterfowl, fish or even our bailiffs, should our bailiffs be unfortunate enough to approach the persons using them.
“The reality of poaching is a far cry from the romantic novel image of a person tickling a few trout to feed their family.
“The poachers we come across are very cruel people with a desire to maim and kill our wildlife. Our bailiffs have to be very careful when out on patrol because attacks on bailiffs are all too common.”
Anyone who sees anything suspicious along the river is urged to report it to the police on 101, or if it is a crime in progress call 999. They can report specific angling offences to the Environment Agency hotline on 0800 807060.