Dawn patrol nets man in Saltney fishing for ‘protected’ European Eels

A man was detained on suspicion of illegal fishing during a dawn patrol by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and North Wales Police Rural Crime team.

NRW say the man was found to have caught a number of European Eels, as well as a flatfish.

The European Eel is a protected species having been in decline for several decades.

Matt Roberts, North Environmental Crime Team Leader for Natural Resources Wales said:

“We are here to protect endangered species such as the European Eel.

“At 5.35 am today Thursday, 4 August during a routine patrol we found and detained a man setting up an illegal fyke net on Balderton Brook, a tributary of the River Dee

“He was interviewed by the officers and reported for Fisheries Offences.

“The net was seized and the catch returned to the water.”

What is a Fyke Net?

A fyke net is a fish trap. It consists of cylindrical or cone-shaped netting bags mounted on rings or other rigid structures.

It has wings or leaders which guide the fish towards the entrance of the bags.

The fyke nets are fixed on the bottom by anchors, ballast or stakes.

If anyone else sees any illegal fishing or something suspicious they should call the NRW hotline on 0800 807060.”