SWANS KILLED AND FISH AS 'MIGRANTS PILLAGE RIVER FOR FOOD'!!

[Daanyeer]

By Andrew Levy
24th March 2010

Migrant workers have been accused of 'raping and pillaging' a river by preying illegally on fish and swans.

Anglers have complained of plummeting fish stocks, while the carcasses of swans have been found on the bank.

Witnesses claim fish are being caught out of season and using inhumane methods, such as long lines with multiple hooks which are left in the water overnight and cause a slow and painful death.




The swans are allegedly captured with bread on barbed snares before they are hauled in from the River Nene in Peterborough, and clubbed to death.
Last week alone five Polish men were caught fishing illegally in the area. Signs in multiple languages have now been put up to deter the poachers.
Peterborough is said to be the fastest growing multi-ethnic community in provincial Britain.

Three years ago the East of England Regional Assembly estimated there were 16,000 Eastern Europeans living in the city - one in ten of the population.

This figure did not take into account the number of illegal workers attracted to the agricultural heartland where fruit and vegetable picking is one of the main sources of employment.
Food processing and packing factory work is also available.
The swans are allegedly captured with bread on barbed snares before they are hauled in from the River Nene in Peterborough, and clubbed to death.
Last week alone five Polish men were caught fishing illegally in the area. Signs in multiple languages have now been put up to deter the poachers.
Peterborough is said to be the fastest growing multi-ethnic community in provincial Britain.

Three years ago the East of England Regional Assembly estimated there were 16,000 Eastern Europeans living in the city - one in ten of the population.

This figure did not take into account the number of illegal workers attracted to the agricultural heartland where fruit and vegetable picking is one of the main sources of employment.

Food processing and packing factory work is also available.
But the seasonal nature of the work and the economic downturn means migrants often end up unemployed and with no income. As a result, many live in tents in woods around the city and scavenge for food or rely on charitable handouts.
Others live in garden sheds, which are rented out to them for £5 a night by unscrupulous landlords.

Peterborough and District Angling Association, which controls eight miles of waterways, complains that there has been a 'sudden decline' of bream, carp, pike, tench, chub and eels.
Secretary Andy Jackson said: 'Many of the waters that we control are being systematically raped and pillaged by migrants. Many view the countryside as a free source of food.
'The fish stocks have declined markedly in the past six years. There is a definite correlation between this and the influx of migrants to the city.'

Angler Carl Street, 46, said immigrants were camping along the river bank. He added: 'We have got a group of non-English people that are camped on an inaccessible bank along the River Nene who are pretty hard to get at.
'They only take the big fish, which are usually female, so it's a massive blow to their breeding.'
Peterborough and District Angling Association head bailiff Jonathan Means confirmed that two Polish men were caught fishing illegally on March 16 and three more were found the next day.

He said: 'We have found nets and long lines set up but it is hard to find the culprits. They have a total disregard for our waterways.'
Kathy Hornig, a welfare officer for the RSPCA, has visited several sites where swan carcasses were found. She said: 'We have been aware of this for some time. The people trying to catch the swans are causing them extreme distress.'


The Environment Agency is responsible for combating fish theft across Britain and is investigating complaints. Officers are equipped with body armour, a baton and handcuffs to protect themselves against hostile confrontations.
A spokeswoman for the Polish Mission in Peterborough last night appealed for migrant workers to be educated rather than punished for their offences. She said: 'It is possible that people don't know the law.
'Some don't even know the laws of their own country. There is also more of a tradition of hunting for food in eastern Europe than in Britain.'

Conservative councillor Mahmood Fazal, who represents the central ward in Peterborough where many Eastern Europeans live, said they were hard workers who wanted to have a good quality of life.
But he added: 'It must be the case that some are having to do whatever they can to feed themselves because they haven't got a job.
'Some don't know the difference in regulations between here and their own country and for that reason are making mistakes.'

Anyone who sees swans being targeted is encouraged to call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999


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