Illegal nets teeming with fish seized in river

Fish are trapped in the illegal netting

A Plymouth harbour authority has seized illegal nets teeming with trapped fish.

Cattewater Harbour Commissioners said the nets on the River Plym had been "deployed by unlit small craft during the hours of darkness".

"Such nets capture and kill all fish and diving birds such as cormorants that come into contact with them," it said.

"It is illegal for both licensed fishing vessels and recreational fishermen to fish with nets in this area."

'Significant hazard'

The harbour authority also pointed out that it was illegal to operate a vessel without appropriate navigation lights.

"Deploying nets in these waters causes a significant hazard to navigation as do the unlit vessels which have been deploying them," said a spokesperson.

The authority asked people to be "vigilant around slipways and when by the water's edge of suspicious activity, for example small craft not having navigation lights or deploying and recovering nets".

Any sightings should be reported to the Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority and the Cattewater Harbour Commissioners harbour office.