Amidst criticism from anglers that it is neglecting its statutory duty to protect fisheries in England and Wales, the Environment Agency has teamed up with the Angling Trust (AT) to launch a pilot scheme where volunteers are being sought to back up full time Environment Agency bailiffs in policing fisheries. The initiative has come from the AT.

The pilot scheme is to take place in the Environment Agency's South East Region. Twelve volunteers in each of the four areas within the region (48 in total) are being sought.

Volunteers will be expected to undergo training, and then work in conjunction with the EA's team of enforcement officers delivering information on illegal activity and in the first year prove themselves capable of monitoring and reporting activities on rivers, lakes, canals and estuaries in their local area, not just on their own club or syndicate waters.

For an application pack, e-mail bailiffs@anglingtrust.net