Aalst – Fishing stewards of the Flemish Carp Collective in Aalst are raising alarms over increasing violations of fishing regulations on the Dender River. Chair Stefan Muylaert has called for enhanced powers to enable stewards to enforce rules more effectively, as the Agency for Nature and Forests (ANB), which operates with only 30 inspectors, seeks cooperation from local police, reports 24brussels.
As reported by VRT News, violations along the Dender River have surged, according to Muylaert, who highlighted that many fishermen ignore established rules. Stewards are restricted in their ability to enforce compliance, as those who break the rules often leave before authorities arrive.
“Sometimes 3 or 4 fishermen gather around our stewards and threaten them. Last week, one of our stewards was seriously punched during a confrontation,”
said Muylaert.
Implications of Rising Violations on Dender River for Anglers and Authorities
Muylaert advocates for granting stewards greater authority to address violations, suggesting that if chief stewards were designated as gas officials, they could issue fines for infractions effectively.
“We are asking for our chief stewards to be made gas officials. Then gas fines can actually be issued for these violations,”
he stated.
The ANB has confirmed a troubling trend of rising violations across Flanders, with Jeroen Denaeghel indicating that these breaches are often identified during random inspections.
“It seems the problem is worse in Aalst. We plan to investigate the situation there more closely,”
Denaeghel remarked.
“You must be able to catch offenders red-handed, but we cannot be everywhere at the same time with our inspectors.”
Denaeghel, spokesperson for ANB, elaborated on the limitations faced by the agency, emphasizing the need for collaborative enforcement efforts.
“With only 30 nature inspectors for the entire region of Flanders, it is impossible to be everywhere at once. We have to set priorities, and those priorities are not always focused only on fishing regulations,”
Denaeghel explained, calling for increased coordination with other law enforcement entities, particularly the police.
“I think first of the police,”
concluded Denaeghel.
The Dender River has been a favored destination for fishing enthusiasts, drawing both casual and serious anglers. Historically, the Flemish Carp Collective has worked to uphold regulations to safeguard both fishing practices and the state of fish populations. However, the escalation of rule violations and confrontations with stewards has sparked serious concerns regarding safety and the enforcement of regulations along the river.
