MIKE Johnson's near two-year wait to find out if he holds the British record for a thornback ray shore catch is over — and it's good news!

Johnson was one of several Paignton Sea Anglers Association members who fished the Salcombe Estuary for the species in early 2008.

And now his ray of 22lb 11oz 8dr — caught in the evening of March 17, 2008 — has finally been recognised as a national best by the British Record (Rod-caught) Fish Committee (BRFC).

Expectation was high that the catch would set a new British record.

At the time the thornback was carefully placed on the club's electronic scales, and eight or nine who had gathered saw the dials turn to a magnificent 22-11-10 — almost one pound above the 1985 record of 21-12-0 set in Scotland.

Johnson had fished over the top of the neap tide to halfway down. Peeler crab had been the bait used by most of the group through the day.

The ray was not overly large in the area of the 'wings', but at the thickest point the body was almost eight inches deep!

It also took the Paignton club record from John Case, who had taken one just a few weeks ago at 18lb-plus.

The BRFC met at the Fishmongers Hall in London and officially ratified the record.

They also discussed scales used for the weighing of record fish, which club weighmasters may be interested in.

A BRFC statement said: "The committee is concerned that claims were being submitted where the scales used for the weighing the fish were outside their stated range.

"In such circumstances the weight of the fish will only be accepted if the scales are tested by Trading Standards or equivalent and found to be accurate at the actual claimed weight.

"The committee wishes to make it clear that the onus is on the captor to ensure that suitable scales are used when weighing potential record fish.

"In addition claimants must indicate when recording the weight of a potential record fish whether the fish was weighed on imperial or metric scales.

"This information is necessary to enable the actual weight of the fish to be confirmed."

The initial telephone contact point of the BRFC remains at the Angling Trust head office on 0844 7700616 but any queries may be directed to secretary David Rowe at dr@davidrowe.eclipse.co.uk.

ALL sea anglers may not be aware of Environment Agency plans to prohibit the retention of silver eels from the sea in England and Wales as well as from fresh water.

The agency estimates that runs of juvenile fish, or elvers, "have crashed by over 95 per cent across Europe… and if runs don't improve soon, the long-term future for eels looks bleak".

The Angling Trust supports the move. Chairman Mike Heylin said: "Without major steps to protect eels, they are unlikely to get back to a sustainable level."

The proposed rules are available to view on the EA's website. To oppose or support them, anglers should write to Alexander Kinninmonth at Defra, Marine and Freshwater Biodiversity Division, Area 2D, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR.

Further controls on commercial eel fishing are planned by stopping the issue of marine eel licences, reducing the number of freshwater commercial eel licences and toughening up conditions for those that are allowed, and imposing a closed season for commercial eel and elver fishing.