Straits Times Forum 25 May 13;
PUB thanks Mr Lee Swee Mun ("Have single agency to enforce law against illegal fishing"; Tuesday) and Ms Mallika Naguran ("Fishing with long nets endangers wildlife, people"; Forum Online, Tuesday) for their letters.
PUB recognises the increasing public interest in recreational fishing and has since 2004, progressively opened up our reservoirs for recreational activities, including fishing. Currently, there are 10 reservoirs, such as the Marina, Lower Seletar, and Bedok reservoirs, with designated fishing areas where the public can fish safely without inconveniencing others.
For safety reasons, PUB does not allow fishing in the drains and canals and has installed signs at strategic locations to remind the public not to fish in these places.
Anglers can do their part to keep the environment safe and clean by adopting good fishing practices and clearing up any litter after fishing.
Anglers should use only fishing rods and artificial bait, and exercise care when casting the lines.
It is also important that they fish only at the designated areas - these are sites which do not have steep slopes and will not pose a risk to other water activity participants.
We also encourage anglers to practise "catch and release" to help ensure that the fish population in the reservoirs is not depleted.
To promote good fishing practices, PUB works with community partners such as E-waves Fishbyte and the Gamefish & Aquatic Rehabilitation Society to provide public education on responsible fishing as well as conduct fishing clinics to teach anglers techniques like catch and release and to not use live bait when they fish.
Signboards are also installed at the designated fishing sites to provide anglers with information on good fishing etiquette.
PUB officers carry out daily surveillance at our reservoirs and this includes looking out for illegal fishing activities such as fishing with live bait or outside designated areas.
Those caught fishing outside our designated areas and/or using live bait in our reservoirs will be issued a composition fine of $50 on their first offence and $200 on their second offence.
Offenders will be prosecuted on subsequent offences and may be fined up to $3,000. Signs informing anglers on fishing ethics and etiquette are found near the designated fishing sites.
PUB also works closely with the National Parks Board to look out for illegal fishing activities during routine patrols. The public can call the PUB hotline (1800-2846600) should they spot any irresponsible fishing activities.
Tan Nguan Sen
Director, Catchment and Waterways Department
PUB
Use artificial lures when fishing in reservoirs
Straits Times 1 Jun 13;
THE national water agency PUB does its best to keep the reservoirs clean, with good landscaping and by providing rubbish bins ("PUB's efforts against illegal fishing"; last Saturday).
There are signs warning against using live or dead bait and encouraging the use of artificial lures. Perhaps more can be done to educate the public against using bait, which cause pollution and disrupt the ecological balance of the reservoir. Remember, this is the water we drink.
While it is easy to confine anglers to designated fishing areas, PUB officers who enforce the rules need to be able to readily identify those who use bait. Here are some basic tips:
- "Lurers", which is slang for anglers using artificial lures, usually stand and actively move their fishing rods to mimic the action of fish at the end of the lines. They usually practise catch and release, and treat fishing as a pastime.
- "Baiters", which is slang for anglers using baits - live or dead - usually sit down and place their fishing rods on stands while waiting for fish to take the bait. They usually practise catch and keep or kill, as they have paid for the baits and want returns.
Victor Tai
