Existing Voluntary Bailiff Service (VBS) members have voiced great apprehension towards the recently revealed plan to move away from the system, with some labelling the decision a ‘backwards step’, Angling Times understands.
Early last month, the Environment Agency (EA) and Angling Trust announced proposals to replace the VBS with a service incorporating a broader network of volunteers, in which people from fishing clubs and the non-angling community will be encouraged to take part.
When the announcement was initially made, it was hoped that existing volunteer bailiffs would play a key role in the evolving network, but Angling Times sources have revealed that this isn’t the intention for a number of current bailiffs.
According to reports, we understand that numerous VBs are planning to resign, with some leaving already.
Additionally, we have been informed of significant decline in patrol hours and incident reports since the proposed changes were announced.
We asked the Angling Trust for a response to the reports, and they, working with the EA, provided the following:
“The Angling Trust is aware that existing volunteers have concerns about the change, and we are continuing to listen and engage with them,” they stated.
“Changes to a long-standing volunteer programme will raise questions, particularly among people who have dedicated significant time and commitment over many years.
“The VBS has made a valuable contribution to fisheries enforcement over the past decade, and the Angling Trust is very clear that the experience and knowledge built up through the VBS will continue to support fisheries enforcement.
They added: “This change to volunteer enforcement support was requested by the Environment Agency. It is intended to build on what has already been achieved by committed volunteers by extending training, awareness and reporting capability, broadening volunteer participation and encouraging long-term reporting.
“There are also fishing clubs and fisheries that have not engaged with the VBS over the past decade, so there is a significant opportunity to involve more volunteers from across the angling community.
“The objective remains the same: to provide effective eyes and ears on the bank, and to support the Environment Agency and police in tackling illegal fishing and fisheries crime.
The Angling Trust remains committed to working with existing volunteers and the wider angling community to protect fish, fisheries and the waters anglers care about.”
Heidi Stone, EA Fisheries Manager, affirmed their position on the matter:
“This is an evolution of the Voluntary Bailiff Service; we are not a stopping a service that where it works well and makes a big difference.
The intention is to boost what is already being offered and encourage volunteers to do more for their local environment.
Going forward, by increasing awareness we will have more people able to recognise illegal activities or environmental concerns that can be usefully reported.
“We also recognise that clubs need more support with the increasing demands, so with the Angling Trust we offer training and advice on health and safety, welfare and project management enabling them to operate professionally and attract new and younger anglers.”
