Newly designed Section 30 application forms have been introduced which will tighten up on the way fish movements are approved-strengthening the critical role of Section 30 in protecting fisheries.
Under Section 30 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act (1975)-any person wishing to introduce fish into any inland water in England and Wales, (other than fish farms) requires written consent from the Environment Agency.
Environment Agency Head of Fisheries, Dr David Clarke, sees the introduction of the new forms as the next stage in the process of tightening the screw on illegal fish traders.
“The introduction of the new Section 30 forms represents another step forward in the management of fish disease and theft.
“Last November the Agency introduced a new database which allows Agency fisheries staff to view Section 30 applications from all over England and Wales. For the first time the Environment Agency are able to track the national movement of fish from source to destination.
“The new Section 30 forms will collect more data to add to the database-to supply Agency fisheries staff with the information they need to fight against fish disease and theft. Specifically the new information from the database will help the Agency to:
– identify cases where fish supplied have not been legally obtained;
– prevent the spread of harmful parasites and disease-causing organisms, by monitoring applications to stock fish from sites known to be infected;
– compare data with the National Fisheries Laboratory Fish Health Database to monitor the distribution of harmful parasites and disease outbreaks;
– monitor the number of fish removed from individual waters; and monitor the use of clean health checks.
First time applicants will receive the form along with a pack containing information on the risks of introducing fish, the risks of importing disease and legislation affecting non-native fish species.
David Clarke continued:
“The new form, notes and pack are designed to ensure applicants are fully aware of the process and risks of introducing fish to their waters-while ensuring the Agency receives the information it needs to fully assess the application-taking into account the impacts on the fishery and the wider environment.
“All fish transfers carry some degree of risk. However the new forms will help us enforce Section 30 and increase the level of environmental protection to the waters receiving the fish, as well as the wider environment.
“The new measures will benefit fisheries owners, as their waters will be further protected against unscrupulous fish dealers.”
New guidance for Agency Consenting Officers has also been introduced to complement the new forms and ensure applications are dealt with in a consistent way.
The new forms and packs will be available from your local Environment Agency Area Office on 0845 9333111.
Notes
– Changes to the Section 30 forms include:
– the addition of the purchasers name and address as well as the applicant. This will enable the Agency to ensure advice and information about the introduction can be passed onto the eventual keeper of the fish;
– details of the conservation status of the receiving water. This will help speed up the appropriate consultation process with other bodies, where the conservation status, such as a SSSI or SAC, is known by the applicant;
– more details about the source water and any temporary holding facilities. This will help the Agency assess the suitability and disease status of the fish to be introduced. It will also enable the Agency to ensure that the fish in question have been legally obtained;
– an insistence on the exact date of introduction. This will enable the Agency to ensure that introductions can be audited to provide further protection to the receiving water and the wide environment.
