ILLEGAL nets have been discovered at Poppit and Nevern, as Officers from Natural Resources Wales officers crack down on illegal fishing in the area.

Since the start of the summer, officers have reported six people for illegal netting, five people for foul hooking and have recovered four illegal nets from rivers in the west wales area.

Last weekend, a local man in his 40’s was apprehended for using an illegal net offshore of Poppit Sands, and officers recovered an illegal net on the River Nevern the previous week.

Illegal netting threatens populations of migratory fish such as salmon, sea trout and eels who need to access the river to reach spawning grounds to breed during this time of year.

A Natural Resources Wales spokesman said: “Help from local communities has been vital in supporting our enforcement work on these rivers, and we’d like to thank those who have reported concerns to us.

“In many of these areas, angling is a big draw for tourism and plays a role in the local economy. It’s important that we continue to crack down on illegal fishing activity so that it remains sustainable for licensed fisherman.

“We’d also like to thank Dyfed Powys Police and South Wales Police for their support and assistance in apprehending these individuals who flout the law.”

People concerned about illegal fishing in their area should contact the Natural Resources Wales incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.