Deadly fish traps found in River Skerne
Officers from the Environment Agency and Darlington Borough Council are targeting illegal fishing activity on the River Skerne.
Some of the illegal fish traps found as part of the operation
Enforcement officers have seized more than 20 illegal fish traps and other equipment in the past three months in the North East, including several in Darlington borough. 皇冠体育app work is part of the Environment Agency鈥檚 North East crackdown called Operation Creel that aims to protect species threatened by our changing climate; the white clawed crayfish and European eel.
Members of the public have reported illegal practices including crayfish trapping and fish theft, particularly in the River Skerne and nearby ponds, adding to other sources of intelligence and helping authorities to track the culprits.
Traps can prove deadly for river mammals including otters who may get stuck and drown after following prey.
Native white clawed crayfish are in decline in the North East due to invasive American signal crayfish. 皇冠体育app American species is bigger and takes over habitat while also carrying a disease deadly to their native counterparts.
David Shears, Environment Agency Senior Fisheries Enforcement Officer, said:
鈥淚鈥檇 like to urge people to contact the Environment Agency if they witness any signs of illegal activity.
鈥淐limate change is putting many of our native species at risk and we need to protect habitats where they thrive.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a serious crime to set these hazardous traps and horrific to see evidence of otters having drowned, as well as the other ecological impacts we risk. We are on the ground, remaining vigilant and will act on all intelligence we receive.鈥�
Councillor Andy Keir, Darlington Borough Council鈥檚 cabinet member for local services, said:
鈥淲e鈥檙e happy to continue to support the work of the Environment Agency鈥檚 enforcement officers in tackling illegal fishing and would urge anyone with information to pass it on to the Environment Agency.鈥�
Traps used to take fish in England must be authorised by the Environment Agency and be safe for other wildlife. Because of the populations of rare native crayfish in the area, traps are rarely authorised other than for scientific reasons. Anyone who fishes must also have the permission of the landowner.
People fishing illegally or using illegal traps can expect to be prosecuted and face a substantial fine.聽
Everyone聽can play their part, by reporting any聽illegal activity聽to the Environment Agency on聽0800 80 70 60聽or to聽Crimestoppers聽on 0800 555 111.