Environment Agency Wales officers have apprehended three men from the Wrexham area on suspicion of poaching salmon from the River Dee (Welsh).

The men, aged 20, 28 and 34, were caught at Erbistock Weir, near Wrexham, on Sunday, in possession of a lamp, gaff, rod, reel and weighted treble hook.

The equipment was confiscated by agency officers.

One man was arrested at the scene and all three were reported for Fisheries offences.

Jason Westerberg-Liptrot, Environment Agency Wales, said:

“Poaching at this time of year significantly harms spawning fish and threatens the future stocks of salmon in the River Dee.

“Wales is a top destination for anglers and millions of pounds has been spent to create a better environment for migratory fish to spawn in Welsh rivers.

“Angling is worth approximately £150m to the Welsh economy so it is a worthwhile investment.

”We would urge anyone who sees suspicious activity to call our Incident Hotline on 0800 80 70 60.”

Ah the Welsh Dee.

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Malcolm
<')\\\\\<<
Quot homines tot sententiae

Does that make the importance of these arrests any less important, in your eyes?

means he can watch east enders in peace.

Good to see the law of the land being enforced.
I hope they dont just get a slap on the wrists.

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www.tintotroutfishery.co.uk
www.anglersholidaycottages.co.uk

What ever they get it won't be enough to send a message to other villains.

It's a start though and the court has got to be seen to make an example of these people.

---------- Post added at 12:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:47 AM ----------

Right enough...

Whatever happened to the policy of confiscating vehicles used by poachers?Surely this was more of a deterent than the confiscation of rod,reel,gaff etc and a poxy fine.As with with customs at UK borders,the threat of vehicle confiscation tended to make the diehards use old bangers,making them easier to spot.With the police new stop and search regs it should be easier to apprehend poachers.Unfortunately the police seem to want a quiet life and don't seem interested.It would be interesting to know how many hotel freezers were checked for wild fish this year and how many prosecutions were brought

The trouble there is each hotelier faced with questioning could simply claim that they were given the fish. Not a crime to accept a rod caught fish as a gift, so a really pointless waste of resources, although I do agree with your sentiments.

maybe you,s could send a few of your officers over here to watch our rivers.. i think they should have went to specsavers

David

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