EA launches "Devon blitz"

Environment Agency officers have been carrying out a blitz on illegal anglers during the bank holiday weekend, local papers report.

They have been visiting a number of sites including Fernworthy Reservoir on Dartmoor and Rackerhayes Ponds, Newton Abbot.

"Money raised from rod licences is vital to the future of fish and other wildlife," said agency spokesman Martin Williams.

"It is put straight back into improving the environment through re-stocking, improving habitats and access to fishing."

Pike anglers in the area are now wondering whether slome of the money raised will be spent on investigating the activities of the illegal tagger disfiguring fish in the Grand Western Canal by festooning them with cable ties.