Fishing for a fine at reservoir

The signs are prominent - no fishing allowed.

Yet, dozens were seen doing so in the no-fishing areas along Lower Peirce Reservoir when The New Paper was there on Sunday.

The New Paper saw three men receiving summonses for illegal fishing in just 30 minutes.

Fishing enthusiasts say the areas are popular because of their relatively convenient location compared to other fishing spots.

And most fish there, despite knowing it is illegal and that there are designated fishing spots nearby, as they claim that the designated spots do not have enough fish.

Operations executive Darren Drew Baker, 25, a fishing enthusiast who practises catch and release, said: "People tend to hit illegal spots because the legal ones are generally overfished and very barren.

"They are also too crowded with anglers and the general crowd.

"Foreign workers also tend to net up a whole school of fish at a time, leaving us with nothing."

National water agency PUB said an average of about 250 people are booked each year for fishing offences, which include fishing at non-designated areas and fishing with anything but artificial baits or lures.

A PUB spokesman said enthusiasts are not allowed to fish in certain areas of the reservoir because it may undermine their safety.

"For safety reasons, PUB encourages anglers to fish only in designated areas at the reservoirs. These locations are selected based on considerations such as public safety, availability of amenities and demarcation of zoning for different water activities."

Those caught fishing outside designated areas or using live bait will be fined $50 for their first offence and $200 for their second offence. Offenders will be prosecuted for subsequent offences and can also be fined up to $3,000.

For more information on the designated fishing areas, visit https://bit.ly/1eid6Dl

This article by The New Paper was published in MyPaper, a free, bilingual newspaper published by Singapore Press Holdings.