Birmingham Anglers Association

The issue is not if we agree with the law as it stands , That clearly states that is is illegal and against the law to return zander that have been caught and returned to the canal. Its is down to the authority's if they decide to prosecute or not to prosecute . I think we can all agree on that .

The issue here is, Can the BAA force a member to return any zander caught from a canal to return it alive and well ? With the threat of being expelled from the BAA if he is caught not doing so ?

I think you will find that as the law stands at the moment it is a criminal offence to force,bully , coerce or blackmail some one in to conducting them selves in a criminal act . The criminal offence in question here is Forcing some one to return zander alive to the canal ?

People may or may not know this , The BAA is run as a business and is run as a LTD and are subject to company rules , regulations and laws .

So for the BAA to actively tell and encourage its members to commit a serious and illegal act by telling them that all zander must be returned alive and well to the canal could find them selves in serious trouble in the future .