Since fish first
swam, millions of years ago, whether in fresh or saltwater, they consumed other
creatures as part of their diet. They still do. In seeking to offer
baits which are natural, and behave so, anglers may consider the use of live grubs,
worms, crustacean or fish as bait. The use of live fish as bait is an established,
legal angling method which is highly effective in freshwater fishing for pike,
eels, catfish, perch and zander. The method may also be used for chub and
- where permitted - trout.
There
is no difference between using live fish and any other type of live bait, bearing
in mind that there is no scientific evidence to support the assertion that fish
feel pain. However, to avoid possible conflict with those who may not share this
view it is imperative that when livebaiting, anglers should do so in a responsible
manner, both in terms of obeying the law and in terms of conservation.
General
principles
Always check the fishery
rules before using livebaits. It is essential to ensure that livebaiting
is permitted on the water you are fishing. Also ensure that the fish to
be used are in ready supply. Fish stocks must not be depleted and 'specimen'
fish or 'rare' species must never be used.
Never
introduce or remove fish to or from any water without the permission of the fishery
owner.
You should check regional byelaws
to ensure that you conform with any restriction on the number of livebaits you
take and the method by which they are retained.
Transfer
of livebaits between waters carries the same risks as fish stocking. Unauthorised
introduction of fish into any waters may upset the ecological balance and damage
the fishery through the spread of either unsuitable fish species, or harmful diseases
and parasites.
In England and Wales,
Section 30 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act1975, states that you must
have written permission (consent) from the Environment Agency before you introduce
fish into any inland water. This includes fish which are health certified
and come from a reputable source.
Although
no such legislation currently applies in Scotland it is recommended that, for
as long as this situation prevails, anglers in Scotland also take account of the
following guidelines.
(Since this page
was first produced the use of live fish for bait has been prohibited in Scotland)
Using
livebaits on the water from which they are taken
When
using livebaits from the fishery from which they were caught, they should be retained
and used there preferably on the same day.
Stillwaters
- Most are self contained and in England and Wales Section 30 will only be required
for livebaits brought to the water from elsewhere.
Rivers,
Canals and Drains - In general anglers may transfer livebaits between adjacent
stretches of the same river or canal without Section 30 consent, providing that
this does not involve carrying them in a vehicle. Anglers wishing to move livebaits
further than they might walk during the course of a day's fishing are advised
to apply for Section 30 Consent.
Using
livebaits on other waters
If
you wish to transfer livebaits between any waters in England and Wales you must
first obtain Section 30 consent. Applications for Section 30 consent to introduce
fish which are intended for use as livebaits are treated in exactly the same way
as any other application for the introduction of new fish stocks.
It
usually takes about 10 working days for the Environment Agency to process an application
and issue your consent. In certain circumstances it might take longer so
plan well ahead.
Section 30 Consent
is normally a one-off permission issued for a specific date and site. Your
application must give the exact date you plan to introduce fish. After the EA
has provided your Section 30 Consent, you can only change the date you plan to
introduce the fish in exceptional circumstances. It
may be possible to obtain consent which covers more than one date, or between
a range of dates. This is known as a 'Block Consent'. It may be used,
for example,
i) if
you want to introduce trout bought from a single registered fish farm - to be
used as livebait at the same site (still water) where the Agency judges
the ecological risks are minimal.
ii)
if you plan to introduce coarse fish into a water where the
Agency would not normally insist on a health check (so-called 'non-mandatory'
waters that are totally enclosed)
For
specific advice on the use of Section 30 Consent in England and Wales you can
contact the Environment Agency on 0845 933 3111, alternatively the telephone number
for your local Environment Agency office is provided on your rod licence.
Issued
by the Specialist Anglers' Alliance in conjunction with the Pike Anglers' Club
of Great Britain, for and on behalf of the following group members:
National
Anguilla Club, Eel Study Group, Zander Anglers Club, Catfish Society, Catfish
Conservation Group, Chub Study Group and The Perchfishers.
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