A CRACKDOWN has been launched on poachers targeting Hampshire’s salmon.
Salmon Watch is part of the campaign against fish theft and poaching that is jeopardising the recovery of the king of fish.
Rivers in Hampshire, such as the Avon and Itchen are world-famous for their salmon but surveys show numbers are below target.
Tim Sykes, of the Environment Agency, said: “We are committed to eliminating illegal fishing and we will have no hesitation in prosecuting those who commit fish crime to the fullest extent of the law.
“Our specialist fisheries enforcement officers continue to carry out regular patrols and covert surveillance at poaching hotspots to target individuals involved in illegal angling.
“They have also stepped up their day and night boat patrols along the coast to clamp down on illegal fishing.
If anyone thinks that they have seen any illegal fishing, or trade in illegally caught fish, they should phone the Environment Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 807060 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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