Houseboat owners 'under attack' from anti social fishermen

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 8th Oct 2002

30 houseboat owners (on Swan Island) have petitoned MP Vincent Cable to try to stop 'anti social fishing' by fishermen on the Ham bank.

There are reports of the boats being bombarded by heavily weighted hooks cast from the other side of the river, of fishermen dumping bait round the houseboats to attract the fish there, all night fishing parties and foul mouthed abuse when residents complain.

Vincent Cable has taken the issue up with the Environment Agency: "there is something very bizarre going on here. Houseboat owners have put up with a lot of damage and are worried about someone being injured."

"I am a strong defender of fishermen's rights to fish; but they must also respect other peoples right to enjoy the river. Houseboats, canoeists, rowers, pedestrians and cyclists on footpaths: all have to be accommodated."

"I suspect that we are dealing with a few inconsiderate yobs. But they are giving fishermen a bad name. I have suggested that if the Agency cannot police the behaviour properly they may have to close the river bank opposite the houseboats to fishermen."