Starting date: 22 June 2009
Closing date: 14 September 2009
Consultation summary
We are proposing new byelaws to regulate fish removal -
- The issue of coarse fish removal has been subject to considerable debate in recent years. The law that governs it is unclear and limited.
- We are proposing new byelaws that will limit what coarse fish can be taken from rivers, streams, drains, canals and certain large stillwaters, and in what circumstances. We do not propose to restrict what coarse fish may be removed from most stillwaters.
- Eel stocks are dangerously low. To protect adult eel before they return to sea to spawn, we propose all rod-caught eel from any water are returned alive.
- Twaite shad are likely to receive the same legal protection as Allis shad. To help protect both species, we propose that all rod-caught shad must be returned alive.
Consultation Documents
Fish removal byelaws - English Version (PDF, 116KB)
Fish removal byelaws - Bilingual version (PDF, 298KB)
How to respond
We want people to respond online wherever possible. Your views are important to us.
Respond on line (Please note: you will need to register - this will only take a moment)
If you do not have internet access or prefer to reply by post, they should complete the form in the consultation document and send it to –
Adrian Taylor, Fisheries Policy Manager
Environment Agency
Rio House
Waterside Drive, Aztec West
Almondsbury
Bristol BS32 4UD
What happens next
When the consultation closes on 14 September 2009, we will collate and publish a summary of the response on the internet. We will use the responses to inform how we draft the byelaws. Once we have decided to proceed with new byelaws, we will advertise them in the autumn (as we are required to do by law), allowing anyone to comment. We will need to answer each response to the advert, before we apply to government for confirmation. We expect the byelaws to become law in 2010.
Contact Details
Adrian Taylor
