Thanks to an intelligence report from an Angling Trust voluntary bailiff, officers from the Environment Agency and Sussex Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority were able to swiftly respond and seize an illegal net that had been set across the tidal River Adur, close to Shoreham, West Sussex. A number of bass were caught in the net and, whilst some live fish were released, the dead fish were retained for evidence.
Chief Fisheries & Conservation Officer for the Authority, Rob Pearson explains:
‘Regulations are in place to protect sensitive areas such as tidal reaches and estuaries from netting activity, when it has the potential to impact species including migratory salmonids, bass and mullet, undermining sustainable fisheries and threatening local fish populations. We are grateful for any information received on this type of activity, and would encourage anyone with further information on this, or any other incidents, to report it to Sussex IFCA or to the Environment Agency’
Fisheries, Biodiversity & Geomorphology Team leader from the EA, Richard Burr adds:
‘Unlicenced nets are indiscriminate killers of fish and a danger to other wildlife. Good intelligence like this example is a key step towards disarming the illegal fishing trade. It gives officers everything they need to respond quickly and thoroughly ‘
To report illegal fishing:
Sussex IFCA have a specific intelligence reporting web page:
They can also be contacted at 01273 454407 if you prefer.
The Environment Agency has a dedicated 24 hour Incident Hotline: 0800 80 70 60
