Former cop to battle poachers as head of Angling Trust project
A retired police officer who once tackled a man armed with a shotgun has been hired to lead a team of 500 volunteer bailiffs fighting poaching and unlicensed fishing.
Nino Brancato served in the police for more than 30 years but has now joined the Angling Trust as its national enforcement support manager.
Nino Brancato served in the police for more than 30 years but has now joined the Angling Trust as its national enforcement support manager
He will lead the 500-strong Voluntary Bailiff Service and the Building Bridges project which works with migrant anglers.
“I’m really looking forward to working with the Angling Trust’s Fisheries Enforcement Support Service and building on the great partnership we have with the Environment Agency,” said Nino.
“Our 500 volunteer bailiffs, led by a dedicated team of regional enforcement managers, and our Building Bridges team, provide quality intelligence which supports the work undertaken by the EA’s fisheries officers and police.”
The former detective inspector received a Higher Chief Constable’s Commendation for disarming a murder suspect who was wielding a pump-action shotgun.
Mark Owen, the Angling Trust’s head of freshwater, said:
“Having someone of Nino’s experience and seniority is a great asset to both the Angling Trust and fishing.”
The EA’s Graham Storey added:
“We’re working hard to crack down on illegal fishing, working in partnership with the Angling Trust, the police and others. With the skills and experience Nino brings to the role, we are confident that we will further reduce illegal fishing.”
The Fisheries Enforcement Support Service is funded by licence sales and includes the Voluntary Bailiff Service, which began as a pilot five years ago and now boasts 500 members. Nino replaces Dilip Sarkar, who left the Trust earlier this year.
The Fisheries Enforcement Support Service is funded by licence sales
Bailiffing for Free Fishing
Fisheries across the land were hit by a rise in poaching incidents during lockdown, but now an initiative aimed at combating this increased threat to valuable fish stocks has been created.
Named Local Anglers Against Poaching, the scheme is the brainchild of electrician Greg McNally, who hopes it will support the work the Environment Agency and the police are doing in tackling fish theft.
“The idea is to get anglers to do a short patrol at their local fishery, in exchange for a few hours’ free fishing,” Greg tells us.
“Having people on the bank would no doubt help to deter any offenders, and if we encountered any, we could report them to the police and the EA.”
Greg has now set up a Facebook page where anglers who want to volunteer can meet fishery owners looking for help. Visit the Local Anglers Against Poaching page on Facebook to register your interest.
Would you patrol your fishery for free fishing?