Man questioned about illegal netting

A man was detained and questioned this week (Wednesday 19 June) after being found using a net in a north Wales river.

Officers from Natural Resources Wales (NRW), supported by North Wales Police rural crime team, apprehended the 31-year-old man from the Dolgellau area while on a routine patrol of the riverbank.

NRW officers confiscated the net and other equipment during the incident on the river Wnion.

Illegal netting in Welsh rivers can damage populations of important species such as salmon and sea trout.

Matt Roberts, team leader for NRW’s environmental crime team, said:

“There are rules and laws to protect species of fish that are an important part of the environment and economy in this area.

“Offences like these can affect the populations for years to come and impact the angling industry which is worth millions of pounds to the Welsh economy every year.

“We use information we get from anglers and people to target our enforcement work so we do urge anyone who sees poaching or illegal fishing to report it to us on 0300 065 3000.”