AT LEAST once a week, often under the cover of darkness, a 26-year-old undergraduate goes fishing at the MacRitchie Reservoir, casting his line at an illegal spot.
The young man, who calls himself a 'professional poacher', takes a 11/2-hour trek through forests with friends, risking snake bites and being caught by park rangers.
Asked why he does not fish at an approved spot at the reservoir, he replied: 'No fish to catch. More and more are fishing illegally because there's a lack of places.'
Indeed, the number of people being netted for illegal fishing is growing. Last year, 488 summons were issued, up from 399 in 2008. In 2007, 336 tickets were handed out.
The infringements mainly concern fishing outside designated areas and using live bait that can pollute the water.
Noting the growing interest in fishing, however, the authorities have also hatched new fishing spots to hook anglers.
- Sitiemilia , Singapore.
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