The Angling Trust has appointed a new Regional Enforcement Manager, Dave Wilkins, for the South East, joining the existing Fisheries Enforcement Support Service team.

Dave Wilkins recently retired from Sussex Police after 30 years’ service as a detective inspector, having spent most of his career on CID, Special Branch and Major Crime teams. Prior to joining the police, he completed an ecology degree and maintains a keen interest in all wildlife.
As South East REM, Dave’s new job will be to manage the Voluntary Bailiff Service and deliver the Fisheries Enforcement Campaign, encouraging a multi-agency response to fisheries crime and protecting fish and fisheries, working closely with the Environment Agency and police. He will also be providing enforcement advice and support to anglers, clubs and fisheries.

Dave’s lifelong interest in fishing began aged five, and he remains a passionate angler. He enjoys all types of angling, both salt and fresh water; his main interest, however, is pike fishing. Dave also collects vintage fishing tackle and regularly fishes with split-cane rods and centre-pin reels.
Dave has been a Phase 1 Volunteer Bailiff for over three years and recently successfully completed Phase 2 training – so will be working voluntarily in direct support of the Environment Agency and empowered to check rod licences and deal with certain fisheries offences.

National Enforcement Manager Dilip Sarkar MBE said: “We are delighted to welcome Dave aboard our small team, which is making demonstrably massive progress in raising awareness and increasing the support available to the Environment Agency. Dave has all the experience and passion required and we look forward to working with him very much.”

Dave Wilkins said: “I am really excited about this new challenge and opportunity to work with the Angling Trust in partnership with the Environment Agency, police and our volunteers. Together we can make a real difference in the fight to protect fish and fisheries.”