Fisheries enforcement officers from the Environment Agency have successfully thwarted a serious salmon poaching attempt on the River Wear in the Washington area.
The operation took place on the evening of Wednesday 17 July and two men were arrested at the scene.
Thanks to the officers’ swift action, a gill net, which measured over 50 metres in length and 2 metres in depth, was promptly removed, preventing any harm to the river’s aquatic life. The net and other equipment were seized as part of the operation.
A gill net is a type of fishing net that forms a vertical barrier in the water, usually crafted from monofilament nylon.
The nets are specifically designed so that fish become entangled in the mesh, usually by their gills, preventing them from escaping.
Nets of this nature pose a severe threat to river ecosystems, particularly when left unattended, as they indiscriminately kill a range of fish species and can entangle and kill water mammals and birds.
This successful operation demonstrates the critical role of fisheries enforcement officers in protecting our rivers and preserving biodiversity.
David Shears, Senior Fisheries Enforcement Officer at the Environment Agency in the north east, said: “It is important that we take enforcement action to identify offending and prevent harm from such illegal activity, which has a serious impact on fish stocks.
“Atlantic salmon stocks are becoming increasingly vulnerable and it’s more important than ever to tackle such indiscriminate illegal netting.”
“We won’t hesitate to take action to stop illegal fishing and hopefully this will act as a deterrent for anyone thinking of breaking the law.”
If members of the public spot any suspicious activity, they should report it to the Environment Agency Incident Hotline on 0800 807060.
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
