Giant 80-foot-long illegal fishing net seized in Fens by Environment Agency
The Environment Agency seized a giant 80-foot-long illegal fishing net from the River Welland in Spalding. Picture: Supplied/Environment Agency - Credit: Environment Agency
A giant 80-foot-long illegal fishing net has been seized by the Environment Agency after it was discovered in a Fenland river.
The net stretched across the entire width of the coronation channel of the River Welland and offenders would have had to risk their lives to set it up.
They would have needed to negotiate a dangerous derelict railway bridge to install the gill net which was reported by a member of the public.
A spokesman for the Environment Agency (EA) said: “People shouldn’t think they can take advantage of current circumstances to get away with fishing illegally.
“We’re still patrolling to protect fish and the environment, making sure we’re following the government’s coronavirus guidelines.
You may also want to watch:
“While the majority of anglers follow the rules, those who don’t are putting the future of the sport at risk and cheating their fellow participants.
“Not only that, if we catch you, you could face a fine of up to £2,500 and a criminal record.”
Most Read
- 1 'Sorry for any delay' but we're getting there says vaccine rollout manager
- 2 Rough sleepers helped from tents pitched on private land
- 3 Cops 'cash and carry' raid nets 108 cannabis plants and £100,000
- 4 Rapist on bail performed magic tricks for police and security guard
- 5 Man suffers serious injuries after two-vehicle crash on A47
- 6 Coroner records Wisbech teenager’s death as suicide
- 7 Hammers and knives, drug driving and Covid-19 breaches lead to arrests
- 8 Teacher’s 1,000 press-ups charity challenge in friend's memory
- 9 Shoplifter jailed after stealing goods worth £1,600
- 10 We want to end the season now, states Fenmen chairman
Luckily, no fish were caught up in the net before it was fully removed by the agency.
Anyone who suspects illegal fishing or other environmental incidents should report it to the EA’s 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
