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  Straits Times Forum Online 30 Mar 06
Book anglers who break the rules at reservoir park
Letter from Benjamin Zee Zheng Kang

Straits Times 2 Feb 06
Some still fishing for trouble

ANGLERS are still fishing illegally outside designated zones at the eight reservoirs that allow the activity.

These people just want the thrill of flouting the law, said Mr Yap Kheng Guan, director of PUB's 3P Network Department, which aims to educate the public to take responsibility for Singapore's waterways.

However, the number of people caught for illegal fishing dropped almost 50 per cent to 89 last year, from 176 in 2004. PUB attributes this to the shift in the PUB rangers' role in enforcing the regulations.

In the past, the 10 rangers acted more like policemen. Now, they explain to the offenders the consequences of their actions.

The fine for illegal fishing is $50. Second offenders face a fine of $200, and for subsequent offences, they will be prosecuted in court. Mr Yap explained that the anglers should stick to designated zones so that other people using the reservoir for activities like picnicking or kayaking 'will not have their enjoyment jeopardised'.

Littering, however, remains a problem and the PUB's Our Waters programme has 20 grassroots organisations, government agencies, schools and companies helping to maintain their adopted reservoirs or waterways.

'While we continue to open up our reservoirs to more activities, regulations must still be in place to keep things as they are,' said Mr Yap.

'Once the public knows how to use the reservoir waters responsibly, a lot more people can use them for other activities as well.'

Straits Times Forum Online 30 Mar 06
Book anglers who break the rules at reservoir park
Letter from Benjamin Zee Zheng Kang

I write to seek a response from the Public Utilities Board (PUB) on the measures taken to deter anglers who flout the rules at Lower Seletar Reservoir Park.

While lure fishing is allowed in designated zones, I always find anglers flouting the rules in the park. Most of them are middle-aged and senior citizens. I am concerned with the baits they use. Live goldfish, catfish, chicken liver and bread are some of the baits they throw into our nation's water system. These baits pollute our reservoirs. They are giving anglers a bad reputation. Do they not know the rules for fishing in reservoirs, or they simply do not care?

As an avid angler myself, I know that the prices of lures and lure-fishing gears are steep. However, we must not compromise our reservoir's well-being.

On October 16 and 18 last year, I called the PUB hotline to report such activities. To my dismay, my reports seemed to have been taken half-heartedly. The rangers took a long time to reach the park and before they did, the weather turned bad and the anglers called it a day.

Till today, the problem persists. Since they are regular anglers at the park, the PUB cannot feign ignorance of their presence. Why is there no action taken against them?

On the other hand, many of my fellow anglers are often caught by the rangers when they fish at non-designated fishing zones. Does the PUB have its priorities when dealing with such issues?

Recently, there has been a lot of maintenance work in the reservoir. Are the workers in the boats PUB rangers and do they have the authority to book the anglers?

The PUB has done a tremendous job in making sure that Singaporeans have clean and safe water. However, I wish the PUB will step up its enforcement of the rules and not show double standards.

To us anglers, the reservoir is not only our water supply but also our little fishing haven.
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