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Fisheries Enforcement Officers from the Environment Agency have arrested a man on suspicion of poaching sea trout and seized an illegal fishing net at Lyne Sands, north of Newbiggin by the Sea.

Officers, carrying out targeted patrols, made the arrest at 0820 hours on 30th June 2022. During the operation, they seized the illegal gill net measuring 8m x 3m  and a dead sea trout. The investigation is ongoing.

David Shears, Senior Fisheries Enforcement Officer for the Environment Agency, said:

Unattended and unlicensed gill nets are not only capable of killing fish indiscriminately, they will also kill any other wildlife that are unfortunate enough to get entangled in them

This incident highlights how vital it is for people to provide information to us and demonstrates that we will take action. We actively patrol the rivers and coastline around the North East and we continue to target all aspects of illegal fishing activity, particularly where potentially damaging methods are used.

A licensed, strictly regulated and managed sea trout fishery operates off the coast of Northumberland and local byelaws apply to ensure sea trout may only be taken by a limited number of licenced netsmen, during the approved season (26th March to 31st May). It is also illegal to use nets to catch salmon in the North East.

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.