Press release: Operation CLAMPDOWN and licence blitz target illegal fishing

The close season campaign was supported by nearly 500 volunteers from the Voluntary Bailiff Service (VBS), whose ‘eyes and ears’ coverage on the riverbank is invaluable in supporting Environment Agency Fisheries Enforcement Officers.

The volunteer bailiffs undertook 6555 man hours of patrols as part of Operation CLAMPDOWN 6, reporting 111 incidents to the Environment Agency and 34 to the police. A total of 77 intelligence logs were submitted to the Environment Agency and police.

The latest national fishing licence blitz, covering the first two weekends of the new season, checked 1461 licences and reported 88 fishing illegally without a licence. Those found guilty of unlicensed fishing by the courts face a criminal conviction and a fine of up to £2500.

Graeme Storey, Fisheries Manager, Environment Agency said:

Environment Agency fisheries enforcement patrols continue all year round. Anyone tempted to fish illegally should know that they are likely to be challenged at any time of the day or night. With the support of our partners and the VBS there is an increased likelihood of being caught out – don’t risk it.

Dilip Sarkar MBE, National Enforcement Manager with the Angling Trust said:

This is our most successful Operation CLAMPDOWN yet, with a record number of volunteers trained and available and over 70 joint patrols with the Environment Agency or police. The VBS is now making a tangible contribution to tackling illegal fishing, which is welcomed by the Angling Trust and our partners.

For more information on the Voluntary Bailiff Service and the six free Fisheries Enforcement Workshops that will be held around England this autumn, please go to the Angling Trust’s website.

  • Enjoy fishing and make sure you fish legally
  • Annual fishing licences from only £30
  • It’s easy to buy online. Get a Fishing Licence
  • All fishing licence income is used to fund work to protect, improve and develop fisheries, fish habitat and angling.
  • Go fishing – Find out about angling events, fisheries and venues so you can go fishing


Press release: Flood wardens needed in Northumberland town

Teams of volunteer Flood Wardens across the North East are playing a vital role in helping protect their communities.

The eyes and ears on the ground, they act as a link between the Environment Agency and communities at risk – getting vital information out to local residents.

And now the Environment Agency is calling on people to play their part in Ponteland.

At the River Pont in Ponteland there are 520 properties in the flood warning service area, with 69% of people signed up to receive free flood warnings.

And at the River Pont at Darras Hall, Kirkley Mill and Prestwick Carr there are 57 properties in the flood warning service area, with 33% of people signed up.

Flood Wardens play ‘vital role’

Colin Hall, who is the Environment Agency’s Flood Community Engagement Officer for Northumberland, is working with Ponteland Town Council. He said:

Being flooded is absolutely devastating and Flood Wardens play a vital role in supporting their community before, during and after a food event.

It includes things such as checking water levels, reporting blockages in the river and monitoring weather forecasts to be a step ahead of a flood.

We also work with them to develop a Community Flood Plan, with key contacts and responsibilities to carry out in the event flooding takes place.

The local knowledge that wardens can provide on the ground is invaluable and helps communities be more flood resilient.

Raise awareness of flooding issues

Flood Wardens help ensure the Environment Agency’s flood warning messages reach the local community and are acted upon, and have a direct line through to the Environment Agency’s Area Incident Room in Newcastle.

Outside of a flood event, they can help raise awareness of flooding issues in the local community, encourage people to register to receive free flood warnings and provide information to partners about vulnerable people or properties in the flood plain.

Anyone interested in becoming a Flood Warden or for help creating a Community Flood Plan contact Colin.Hall@environment-agency.gov.uk or call 020 7714 0547.

Residents can also sign up to receive flood warnings and find out what action they can take to protect themselves and their property by visiting the Environment Agency website



Press release: Flood wardens needed in Northumberland town

Teams of volunteer Flood Wardens across the North East are playing a vital role in helping protect their communities.

The eyes and ears on the ground, they act as a link between the Environment Agency and communities at risk – getting vital information out to local residents.

And now the Environment Agency is calling on people to play their part in Ponteland.

At the River Pont in Ponteland there are 520 properties in the flood warning service area, with 69% of people signed up to receive free flood warnings.

And at the River Pont at Darras Hall, Kirkley Mill and Prestwick Carr there are 57 properties in the flood warning service area, with 33% of people signed up.

Flood Wardens play ‘vital role’

Colin Hall, who is the Environment Agency’s Flood Community Engagement Officer for Northumberland, is working with Ponteland Town Council. He said:

Being flooded is absolutely devastating and Flood Wardens play a vital role in supporting their community before, during and after a food event.

It includes things such as checking water levels, reporting blockages in the river and monitoring weather forecasts to be a step ahead of a flood.

We also work with them to develop a Community Flood Plan, with key contacts and responsibilities to carry out in the event flooding takes place.

The local knowledge that wardens can provide on the ground is invaluable and helps communities be more flood resilient.

Raise awareness of flooding issues

Flood Wardens help ensure the Environment Agency’s flood warning messages reach the local community and are acted upon, and have a direct line through to the Environment Agency’s Area Incident Room in Newcastle.

Outside of a flood event, they can help raise awareness of flooding issues in the local community, encourage people to register to receive free flood warnings and provide information to partners about vulnerable people or properties in the flood plain.

Anyone interested in becoming a Flood Warden or for help creating a Community Flood Plan contact Colin.Hall@environment-agency.gov.uk or call 020 7714 0547.

Residents can also sign up to receive flood warnings and find out what action they can take to protect themselves and their property by visiting the Environment Agency website



Decision: Kevin, Ruth and Tom Lamacraft trading as KJ, RS, and TR Lamacraft: decision on licence application

The Environment Agency notifies the public of the decision made on certain applications for the abstraction or impoundment of water.

This decision statement explains:

  • who has made the application
  • what decision has been made
  • how the decision has been made


Malawian delegation visit reinforces ‘one planet’ approach to environmental regulation

date13 July 2018

The Malawian Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development visited SEPA’s Edinburgh office on Friday 13 July to discuss how partnership working through the Hydro Nation can help tackle the 21st century challenges facing our environment.

  • Malawian Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development met experts from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in Edinburgh.
  • Working in partnership on a global scale will help tackle 21st century environmental challenges facing our planet.
  • Builds on commitment made between Republic of Malawi and Scotland to increase cooperation on environmental sustainability.

SEPA’s environmental experts, led by Director Allan Reid, shared the agency’s knowledge and vision for developing and encouraging sustainable solutions to environmental challenges with the Honourable Joseph Mathyola Nakari Mwanamvekha.

The visit follows the signing of the Global Goals Partnership Agreement by the President of the Republic of Malawi and Scotland’s First Minister in April, on behalf of their Governments, committing both countries to realise the United Nations global development goals by increasing cooperation on a range of areas including on environmental sustainability. The 2018 Agreement updated the formal agreement between the two Governments for the Sustainable Development Goals era, replacing their original 2005 Cooperation Agreement.

To help create a prosperous Scotland that lives within the means of our one planet SEPA has transformed its approach to regulation for the 21st century.

As environmental challenges and climate change are not confined within international boundaries the agency is working with partners on a global scale to share its expertise and develop a one planet economy. This is at the core of SEPA’s regulatory strategy, One Planet Prosperity. Only those businesses, societies and nations that have developed ways to manage their water, waste, materials and carbon-based energy consumption will thrive. 

Terry A’Hearn, SEPA’s Chief Executive, said:

It is a pleasure to welcome the Malawian Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development to our Edinburgh office to share our expertise on how we can tackle the 21st century challenges facing our planet together.

“Sustainability does not have borders and to solve today’s biggest environmental problems it is critical that all nations work together. The world requires increasingly sophisticated solutions to today’s complex environmental challenges, and Scotland is aiming to be a world leader in environmental protection on the global stage, establishing lasting relationships and sharing best practice with other nations.

“Like Scotland, SEPA is small enough to organise itself to deliver effectively, but large enough to have a real impact not just nationally, but globally too. We are transforming our approach to create a world-class environment protection agency fit for the challenges of tomorrow. By embracing opportunities to work with others with a global voice and reach we can help make our voice heard and our vision real. 

“We look forward to working further with the Government of Malawi in partnership with the Scottish Government and the University of Strathclyde to help increase sustainability on a global scale.”

Professor Robert M Kalin, Professor of Environmental Engineering for Sustainability at the University of Strathclyde said:

The University of Strathclyde, through the Climate Justice Fund Water Futures Programme, aims to support the Government of Malawi to achieve clean water and sanitation for all people.

“We will continue to collaborate with our ‘Team Scotland’ partners SEPA and Scottish Water International, and our other partners in Scotland and Malawi, to implement work streams around water asset management, policy exchange, capacity building, and research and knowledge exchange.”

Ends