SEVEN anglers have been banned after an undercover operation to crackdown on illegal fishing methods.

The men were caught following a joint operation between the Environment Agency and Durham Police on a stretch of the River Wear in Durham.

Between April and November this year, magistrates imposed a range of penalties on those caught in the operation, including banning defendants from holding rod licences, fines and conditional discharges after they pleaded guilty to offences against the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act.

Thousands of pounds worth of fishing equipment was also ordered to be destroyed after being confiscated.

The oldest defendant was a 42-year-old from Chester-le-Street, who was fined £373 with a total of £407 costs and a 15-month fishing ban; the youngest was a 20-year-old from Sherburn Hill who was fined £73 with £320 costs and a two-year ban.

Enforcement officers carried out undercover night-time surveillance which caught a number of men fishing illegally using a method called “stroke hauling”, which involves using a hook which impales the fish’s body or head.

Environment Agency Fisheries Enforcement Team Leader Kevin Summerson said: “The fines, fishing bans and orders for equipment to be destroyed should send out a warning to all those who are considering breaking angling laws – we could be watching you.

“Poachers aren’t just taking one or two fish. They are frequently taking large numbers that are often sold on for profit. The methods they use can have a dramatic affect on wildlife and cause serious damage to already threatened fish stocks.”

Anyone with information about illegal fishing is asked to call the Environment Agency’s 24-hour hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.