looks like poaching fishermen are all over the place... this morning at Chek Jawa's Northern shore too.
the two chaps were wearing matching green tops.
Showing posts with label poachers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poachers. Show all posts
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
poaching kayakers @ SBWR 17July2011
These 3 kayakers were out early on Sunday 17July 2011. They entered Sungei Buloh Besar at about 0830 and headed up the river towards the Main Bridge casting their lines.
1762
6179jw
Later, they were near Platform 1. One of the park rangers called out to them advising them that Reserve area was a 'no fishing' area. Whilst not pretending to be blur, but nevertheless refusing to release the fish already caught, they moved a little further out constantly casting their lines whilst occasionally paddling.
The trio continued to fish a little further away from the shore although well within the mudflat intertidal area. They even cast their lines close to the barge conducting shore restoration works. Later, they moved towards Pulau Buloh, which is still part of the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, and continued fishing.
In the meantime, the resident pair of otters showed up on the sandbank at Platform 1 before swimming up Billabong Buloh (the other way around Pulau Buloh). Fishing lines occasionally get irretrieveably stuck on out of sight objects below the water and fishermen cut the lines sacrificing the hooks and lures. The lures continue to attract fish, birds and possibly even the resident otters and where the exposed sides of the hooks continue to pose an everpresent threat to anything moving past them. Good thing the otters were safe this time.
After about an hour, the kayakers reappeared in the waters near Platform 1 constantly casting their lines and occasionally catching fish despite the clear earlier warning given by the park ranger. They eventually headed towards the Kranji Nature Trail.
There was a recent newspaper article about kayak fishing becoming more popular. It is hoped that such kayak fishermen respect the sanctity of the nature reserve and keep well away from it. Help us conserve what little we still have.
A note to others who may think about following these kayakers :-
1762
6179jw
Later, they were near Platform 1. One of the park rangers called out to them advising them that Reserve area was a 'no fishing' area. Whilst not pretending to be blur, but nevertheless refusing to release the fish already caught, they moved a little further out constantly casting their lines whilst occasionally paddling.
The trio continued to fish a little further away from the shore although well within the mudflat intertidal area. They even cast their lines close to the barge conducting shore restoration works. Later, they moved towards Pulau Buloh, which is still part of the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, and continued fishing.
In the meantime, the resident pair of otters showed up on the sandbank at Platform 1 before swimming up Billabong Buloh (the other way around Pulau Buloh). Fishing lines occasionally get irretrieveably stuck on out of sight objects below the water and fishermen cut the lines sacrificing the hooks and lures. The lures continue to attract fish, birds and possibly even the resident otters and where the exposed sides of the hooks continue to pose an everpresent threat to anything moving past them. Good thing the otters were safe this time.
Recently, on 18 June2011, a great-billed heron was seen splashing for its life after getting stuck in an abandoned driftnet near Platform 1.
Sadly, before the park rangers could rescue it, it drowned.
[pic by Peter W.]
There was a recent newspaper article about kayak fishing becoming more popular. It is hoped that such kayak fishermen respect the sanctity of the nature reserve and keep well away from it. Help us conserve what little we still have.
A quick look at relevant legislation :-
Restricted activities in respect of animals, etc., in national parks and nature reserves
9. —(1) No person shall, except with the approval of the Commissioner granted under section 12 and in accordance with the terms and conditions of such approval, carry out any of the following activities within any national park or nature reserve:
(a) capture, displace or feed any animal;
(b) disturb or take the nest of any animal;
(c) collect, remove or wilfully displace any other organism;
(d) use any animal, firearm, explosive, net, trap, hunting device or instrument or means whatever for the purpose of capturing any animal; or
(e) carry or have in the person’s possession any explosive, net, trap or hunting device.
(2) No person shall carry out any activity within any national park or nature reserve which he knows or ought reasonably to know causes or may cause injury to, or the death of, any animal or any other organism within the national park or nature reserve.
(3) No person shall, except with the approval of the Commissioner granted under section 12 and in accordance with the terms and conditions of such approval —
(a) bring or release or cause any animal to be brought or released into a nature reserve; or
(b) permit any domestic animal to stray into a nature reserve.
(4) Any person who contravenes subsection (1), (2) or (3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine of $500 for every day or part thereof during which the offence continues after conviction.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
apathetic fishermen III @ SBWR 15May2011
Here we go again...
The first half shows a young man well prepared for his poaching expedition on his kayak armed with a fishing rod, water, sunshades and visor (inter alia). He even had an air-filled plastic bag presumably containing some fish. He had found his way around Pulau Buloh within a stone's throw from Platform 2 and just outside of a sluice gate probably hoping to land a good catch. Instead he was caught by two park visitors who made prompt telephone calls to the park rangers which caused him to pack up and flee towards Platform 1. On seeing the ranger beckoning for him to come 'ashore', he quickly turned his kayak and paddled out towards Kranji.
The second half of the clip shows a yellow-shirted man ("YSM") with a cast net walking across the mouth of Sungei Buloh Besar. The tide was low enough for the walk but the YSM failed to net anything significant except some very small fish. (The bigger fish had probably already been prevented from coming in due to the long gill/drift nets placed a little further out by the other fishermen.) This YSM disappeared into the mangrove at the east bank. He would probably walk out towards the Kranji Nature Trail.
The first half shows a young man well prepared for his poaching expedition on his kayak armed with a fishing rod, water, sunshades and visor (inter alia). He even had an air-filled plastic bag presumably containing some fish. He had found his way around Pulau Buloh within a stone's throw from Platform 2 and just outside of a sluice gate probably hoping to land a good catch. Instead he was caught by two park visitors who made prompt telephone calls to the park rangers which caused him to pack up and flee towards Platform 1. On seeing the ranger beckoning for him to come 'ashore', he quickly turned his kayak and paddled out towards Kranji.
The second half of the clip shows a yellow-shirted man ("YSM") with a cast net walking across the mouth of Sungei Buloh Besar. The tide was low enough for the walk but the YSM failed to net anything significant except some very small fish. (The bigger fish had probably already been prevented from coming in due to the long gill/drift nets placed a little further out by the other fishermen.) This YSM disappeared into the mangrove at the east bank. He would probably walk out towards the Kranji Nature Trail.
Let's have a look at relevant legislation :-
Restricted activities in respect of animals, etc., in national parks and nature reserves
9. —(1) No person shall, except with the approval of the Commissioner granted under section 12 and in accordance with the terms and conditions of such approval, carry out any of the following activities within any national park or nature reserve:
(a) capture, displace or feed any animal;
(b) disturb or take the nest of any animal;
(c) collect, remove or wilfully displace any other organism;
(d) use any animal, firearm, explosive, net, trap, hunting device or instrument or means whatever for the purpose of capturing any animal; or
(e) carry or have in the person’s possession any explosive, net, trap or hunting device.
(2) No person shall carry out any activity within any national park or nature reserve which he knows or ought reasonably to know causes or may cause injury to, or the death of, any animal or any other organism within the national park or nature reserve.
(3) No person shall, except with the approval of the Commissioner granted under section 12 and in accordance with the terms and conditions of such approval —
(a) bring or release or cause any animal to be brought or released into a nature reserve; or
(b) permit any domestic animal to stray into a nature reserve.
(4) Any person who contravenes subsection (1), (2) or (3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine of $500 for every day or part thereof during which the offence continues after conviction.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
apathetic fisherman @ SBWR 01May2011
I had seen a very similar (probably the same) canoe with person paddling past the exit of Sungei Buloh Besar yesterday and thought it unusual that anyone would want to canoe in this area but thought nothing of it as the canoe was moving along quite well.
Saw the canoe again this afternoon but this time the occupant was checking a long gill net. The net was very long and it covered the entire river mouth at Sungei Buloh Besar.
As I was shooting from the main bridge, i decided to move over to Platform 1 to get a closer look as the kayak seemed to be headed that way. When I got to Platform 1, it was obvious that the net stretched right across to the mudbank opposite Platform 1 and where the channel to Platform 2 starts.
I met the SBWR team on their way out and informed them that the kayaker was already speedily moving towards Kranji. Not much point in tracking him down since his fishing sojourn had been abruptly ended. Plus the drizzle looked set to turn into a downpour. Upon looking at the pics (on the small camera LCD), it appears that this particular kayaker had put up nets before and the SBWR had taken action and removed the nets before.
Have a look at this post (and associated links) to see why these nets are are so dangerous : http://sgbeachbum.blogspot.com/2011/04/no-fishing-please-kranji-nature-trail.html
Sungei Buloh currently has 3 resident otters, a couple of crocodiles and many many monitor lizards. All of these can easily get caught in these gill nets and drown with the tides. Indeed, there is a recent record of a crocodile found dead caught up in a net. (See here.).
We should take better care of our Nature Reserves and their natural residents. Help SBWR effectively monitor intruding fishermen and nets! Inform the staff ASAP so that timely and effective action can be taken. The main line is +65 6794 1401.
Fishing enthusiasts should realise that leaving long gill nets unattended can result in inadvertent deaths of already critically endangered marine animals. This is especially so in critical areas near mangroves and on seagrass meadows. Setting up a net near such areas is inviting trouble and we cannot afford to lose even one such animal.
Update :
02May2011 - located the kayak at the Kranji Dam cove. Looks like there is a small fishing community there with some 'permanent' gear stored at the park. This is not mere recreational fishing as it looks as if there was some selling and buying going on.
Saw the canoe again this afternoon but this time the occupant was checking a long gill net. The net was very long and it covered the entire river mouth at Sungei Buloh Besar.
As I was shooting from the main bridge, i decided to move over to Platform 1 to get a closer look as the kayak seemed to be headed that way. When I got to Platform 1, it was obvious that the net stretched right across to the mudbank opposite Platform 1 and where the channel to Platform 2 starts.
I waited for the kayaker to get to the end of his net. He went along the whole of what seemed about 200m of net checking for fish or clearing the net of flotsam. When he came within earshot, I called out to him saying that he could not put his net across the mouth of the river or within the reserve.
He shouted back insisting that he was 'outside' of the reserve. Sensing his reluctance to retrive his net, I promptly revealed my camera and pointed it in his direction. He 'got the picture' real quick and turned around to where the start of his net was and started pulling it into his kayak. He made quick work of retrieving the net whilst trying to keep his face away from the shore and away from the camera.
I made my way back to the SBWR reception counter and informed the staff of the events. They promptly scrambled their team to intercept the kayaker whilst I made my way in advance to the Kranji Nature Trail bridge to see if I could get a clear shot of the kayaker. He paddled by making sure to avoid looking towards the camera and paddled his way in the direction of Kranji Dam.
I met the SBWR team on their way out and informed them that the kayaker was already speedily moving towards Kranji. Not much point in tracking him down since his fishing sojourn had been abruptly ended. Plus the drizzle looked set to turn into a downpour. Upon looking at the pics (on the small camera LCD), it appears that this particular kayaker had put up nets before and the SBWR had taken action and removed the nets before.
Note to self : in case of intruding kayakers, fishermen, poachers - call the SBWR reception immediately so that they can activate their response team to intercept the intruders on the spot. By not informing at the earliest oppurtunity (whilst I was initially on the main bridge), I had inadvertently given the kayaker a lot of time to move around and eventually make his speedy kayak getaway.
Have a look at this post (and associated links) to see why these nets are are so dangerous : http://sgbeachbum.blogspot.com/2011/04/no-fishing-please-kranji-nature-trail.html
Sungei Buloh currently has 3 resident otters, a couple of crocodiles and many many monitor lizards. All of these can easily get caught in these gill nets and drown with the tides. Indeed, there is a recent record of a crocodile found dead caught up in a net. (See here.).
We should take better care of our Nature Reserves and their natural residents. Help SBWR effectively monitor intruding fishermen and nets! Inform the staff ASAP so that timely and effective action can be taken. The main line is +65 6794 1401.
Fishing enthusiasts should realise that leaving long gill nets unattended can result in inadvertent deaths of already critically endangered marine animals. This is especially so in critical areas near mangroves and on seagrass meadows. Setting up a net near such areas is inviting trouble and we cannot afford to lose even one such animal.
 |
| Please Mr. Fisherman! Help us save our endangered animals. |
02May2011 - located the kayak at the Kranji Dam cove. Looks like there is a small fishing community there with some 'permanent' gear stored at the park. This is not mere recreational fishing as it looks as if there was some selling and buying going on.
Note : 07May2011 - I've named this chap 'ciggyman' as he seems to like having a ciggarette in this mouth.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Poachers @SgBulohWR 20Mar2011
Was at main bridge looking inland when I saw, at about 200m away, a yellow-booted man in shorts walking on the mudflat carrying what seemed to be a cast net. At first I thought he was one of the park workers or a researcher taking a sampling of the fish in the water. However, the man seemed nervous and his demeanour did not fit that of an authorised person.
The SBWR (Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve) park wardens were on top of things immediately and suspected that there were 2 or 3 others out of sight hidden in the adjacent mangrove. The wardens hatched a quick plan, coralling support from some of the park workers.
Bari had to walk across part of the estuary to get to an isle of mud and mangrove trees where the poachers had kept their loot in order to make sure that they gave up all of it including their nets. [Unfortunately, the water was deeper than expected and Bari later found out that his mobile phone in his pant pocket would not accept the salt water well at all. Indeed it looked like a mini-fishtank with water sloshing in it. Collateral damage in professionally answering the call of duty! Hope his boss will agree to replacing it without too much trouble (hint! hint!)].
The poachers were escorted back to the SBWR visitor's centre with their gear and loot. After their IDs were recorded, they were given a warning not to fish in the reserve again and let off. All this was done in a relaxed atmosphere and I was pleased to see that the park wardens handled the whole episode professionally. Good job!!
The nets (a cast net and also a long gill net) and a long pole with a metal hook were seized. The pole with hook was possibly for harvesting the tree-climbing crabs which are commonly found high on the wetland reserve's mangrove trees.
The poachers had filled an entire bag with snails. Looks like these snails were saved from becoming soup that evening!
There was also another bag with green clams and a rather large catfish. According to the wardens, the catfish and green clams had been taken from another poacher slightly before the gang of three were spotted.
All the rescued animals were quickly released into the water and the catfish casually swam off as if nothing had happened.
The SBWR (Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve) park wardens were on top of things immediately and suspected that there were 2 or 3 others out of sight hidden in the adjacent mangrove. The wardens hatched a quick plan, coralling support from some of the park workers.
They swiftly hopped into the buggies and rode out to the access track close to where the poachers were. The mud was thick and soft and so made walking out difficult. Nevertheless, the poachers (3 of them) were flanked by two sets of pursuers. They were taken by surprise and did not make a fuss.
Bari had to walk across part of the estuary to get to an isle of mud and mangrove trees where the poachers had kept their loot in order to make sure that they gave up all of it including their nets. [Unfortunately, the water was deeper than expected and Bari later found out that his mobile phone in his pant pocket would not accept the salt water well at all. Indeed it looked like a mini-fishtank with water sloshing in it. Collateral damage in professionally answering the call of duty! Hope his boss will agree to replacing it without too much trouble (hint! hint!)].
The poachers were escorted back to the SBWR visitor's centre with their gear and loot. After their IDs were recorded, they were given a warning not to fish in the reserve again and let off. All this was done in a relaxed atmosphere and I was pleased to see that the park wardens handled the whole episode professionally. Good job!!
The nets (a cast net and also a long gill net) and a long pole with a metal hook were seized. The pole with hook was possibly for harvesting the tree-climbing crabs which are commonly found high on the wetland reserve's mangrove trees.
There was also another bag with green clams and a rather large catfish. According to the wardens, the catfish and green clams had been taken from another poacher slightly before the gang of three were spotted.
Here is a short clip unfolding the event :
poachers from SgBeachBum on Vimeo.
Kudos to the staff and workers at SBWR!
A difficult job done well! :)
poachers from SgBeachBum on Vimeo.
Kudos to the staff and workers at SBWR!
A difficult job done well! :)
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