A MAJOR clampdown has been launched against illegal sales of wild salmon and sea trout in an effort to protect existing stocks.

Restaurants, hotels, pubs and fish mongers are among those being targeted in the operation by the Environment Agency.

Enforcement officers are visiting food businesses to check coolers, freezers and fish storage facilities as well as giving advice on how to spot wild salmon and sea trout that have been caught illegally.

Bailiffs are also patrolling rivers and coastal areas, overtly and covertly, to target illegal fishing.

The operation covers the Yorkshire coast with a particular focus on the Esk catchment area in North Yorkshire and anyone caught illegally fishing or in possession of illegally-caught fish is being warned they will face prosecution and a substantial fine.

The enforcement campaign aims to protect wild salmonid populations that are put at risk by illegal fishing.

Team leader Paul Slater said: “We are determined to stop the illegal fishing and trade of salmon and sea trout because these activities have a terrible impact on fish populations.

“Legitimate netsmen sell wild salmon and sea trout with an Environment Agency tag attached to the carcass. If this is not present, then you may be handling illegally-caught fish and you may be liable for prosecution.

“Other tell-tale signs are apparent on the fish carcasses themselves: any spear of gaff wounds, or snare or gill net marks on a salmonid can indicate that a fish has been caught illegally.”

Salmon or sea trout caught by rod and line will not be tagged, as it is illegal to handle, buy or sell salmonids caught in such a way.

It is also illegal to handle such fish if they have been taken during the close season and salmonids cannot be sold or bought if they are “unclean” – that is a fish that is about to spawn or has recently spawned. Unclean fish can be dark in colour with red spots on their gill covers.

Those handling farmed or imported net-caught fish, which do not require tags, are being advised to ask the seller for a signed receipt that shows the seller’s name and address and details of when and where the fish were caught.

Anyone offered wild salmon or sea trout that may have been rod caught, illegally caught or unclean, should contact the Environment Agency’s incident hotline on 0800 807060.

For further information on fishing byelaws visit gov.uk/government/collections/local-fishing-byelaws