Our rights as acting Bailiffs?

[barbus maximus]

Hi Guys and Girls,

I have touched on this subject on another thread about fishing licenses, which I won't drag up again here, but if I recall as a holder of an EA fishing license I used to be able to ask, if I wished, to see the license of any other person using a rod and line. If none was present I could either ask them to stop and pack up, or report them the the EA.

Has this changed over the years? Its just something I remember from my youth. I would not want to cause conflict on the bank, but I do want to protect my sport.

All the best


John

[scottish_and_mental]

Originally Posted by barbus maximus

Hi Guys and Girls,

I have touched on this subject on another thread about fishing licenses, which I won't drag up again here, but if I recall as a holder of an EA fishing license I used to be able to ask, if I wished, to see the license of any other person using a rod and line. If none was present I could either ask them to stop and pack up, or report them the the EA.

Has this changed over the years? Its just something I remember from my youth. I would not want to cause conflict on the bank, but I do want to protect my sport.

All the best


John

Sadly , protecting your sport isn't worth a punch in the face from 4 Polish blokes
If someone in my street came and asked me if i had a T.V license or M.O.T certificate they would get exactly that ..
Would you want to make a citizens arrest if one of the other anglers dropped litter or were sat smoking a spliff ?
It aint worth the hassle !
I don't pay council tax and then take my own bins to the dump

[barbus maximus]

Good points, and something that unfortunatly happens more and more these days.

Just wanted to know if it was still the case.

J.

[BoldBear]

Hi Barbus,

I have just sent your question to the EA.

I think I remember reading the same a few years ago.
I'll pass on what they say when I get their reply.

[barbus maximus]

A gentleman and a scholar as always Keith, many thanks.
It will be interesting to hear the reply.

Best regards

John

[northern eye]

I reckon it's definately something that you are in your right to do on your own clubs waters. You pay your club fees every year, to have the right to fish certain places so you don't want non members coming on. These kind of people probably don't have rod licenses either but this side of things should definately remain in the hands of the EA bailifs. Like Scottish says, some people should not be approached on the bank as they could be violent, this is why bailifs in parts of the UK are walking the banks in flack jackets. I went for an evening on our match stretch last year and there was a group fishing with a tent set up and camp fire on the go. They were English and quite friendly but in the morning I still reported the incident to the club secretary as any club member would have known that there is a NO NIGHT FISHING/FIRES rule on all waters. This prompted the gate and locks to be replaced at the venue.

[BoldBear]

I just received the answer from the EA which I have put below

=== their reply: ===

Dear Keith

Thank you for your email regarding the right to challenge people who may not hold a rod licence.

The 1975 Salmon and Fresh Water Act gave anglers who held a valid rod licence the right/power to ask other anglers to produce their licence.

In 2009 the Marine and Coastal Access Act was introduced, this act removed the power of angler who held a valid rod licence to ask other angler to produce his/her rod licence.

The act doesn't state that you cannot ask, but you do not have the legal right to do so.

The Marine and Coastal Access Act can be seen on the link below:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/23/contents

The link below will guide you to the Salmon and Fresh Water Act 1975.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1975/51/contents

I trust this clarifies your question.
Kind regards
Farah Hussain
The Environment Agency
National Customer Contact Centre
Sheffield
08708 506 506
(Internal) 711- 3074
=== the end of their reply===

tight lines
Keith (BoldBear)

[barbelblanker]

Most clubs also still state that members can ask to see members and their credentials (OK stop that tittering at the back, you know who I mean..).

Common sense obviously prevails though. If someone is in a group and looks like they'd throw you in in (or worse) then either get reinforcements or leave it. If someone is obviously poaching though call the police. It's theft now after all.

It's just not worth your neck.

[BoldBear]

Although an angler no longer has the legal right to ask to see someones EA rod licence; it doesn't stop clubs and commercials from asking to see it before issueing them with a membership card or day ticket.
and refuse them if they can't produce a rod licence.

[barbelblanker]

I think clubs and commercials are quite within their rights to do so. You can't hire a car without them knowing you are licensed and the same shuold be the case with fishery owners/ leasers. If the EA could be confident that this was happening then they might be agle to spend more of their incredibly limited time in "wilder" areas out of the public gaze.