Environment Agency investigation launched after fourth illegal fishing net found off Northumberland coast

It is suspected the net had been set to take salmon and sea trout as well as any other sea fish.

Migratory fish were entangled in the 50m gill net when it was recovered.

The net was reported to fisheries enforcement officers by the Northumberland Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority (NIFCA) on Tuesday, June 9.

The Environment Agency is investigating where the net has come from and the whereabouts of any migratory fish and sea bass that were taken from it.

It is the fourth incident of its kind that the Environment Agency has seized in recent weeks.

Two were found in the River Blyth estuary at East Sleekburn, one at nearby Lynemouth and another from Skinningrove in Redcar.

John Crowl, enforcement team leader for the Environment Agency, said: “These nets are indiscriminate in nature and are illegal for a reason which is why we take these recoveries so seriously.

“We’ve had a series of reports and recoveries over recent weeks from across the area and our fisheries enforcement officers are investigating.

“Not only are they capable of catching and killing fish indiscriminately they are also capable of causing awful injury to sea birds and mammals.

“Fisheries is very carefully managed to protect the future of the industry and ensure fish can get to their breeding grounds to spawn. I’d urge people to report information about illegal fishing activity to us so we can take action.”

Fisheries enforcement officers are actively patrolling the North East rivers and coastline and responding to reports of illegal fishing.

Environment Agency officers are wearing the appropriate protective equipment and adhering to social distancing measures.

A licensed, strictly regulated and managed sea trout fishery operates off the coast of Northumberland, but the use of illegal nets have a serious impact on sea trout and salmon returning to rivers to spawn.

Those who operate unlicensed nets risk prosecution, with unlimited fines and possible prison sentences available to the courts, and Environment Agency officers can seize equipment and vehicles.

Information about illegal fishing can be reported to the Environment Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.

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