The public is urged to be vigilant and report poachers immediately to protect salmon and sea trout.
 
With river fisheries closed from 1st November to 31st March, and adult fish heading upstream to spawn, the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) is keen to clamp down on illegal activity.
 
Richard Ronan MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said:  ‘At this time of year, my Department receives information about alleged illegal fishing on rivers and coasts but many of these reports don’t reach fisheries officers until hours or days after the event. 
 
‘While the information is still useful, reporting suspicions immediately greatly increases the chances of poachers being apprehended. People who hunt salmon and sea trout illegally care little about the devastating impact their behaviour has on fish populations and I am determined that anyone engaged in poaching activity or in handling, buying or selling illegally caught salmon or trout will face prosecution.’
 
Fisheries officers, aided by volunteer fishery watchers, conduct frequent anti-poaching patrols at this time of year and liaise closely with the Isle of Man Constabulary.
 
Anyone wishing to report suspicious behaviour should contact the Fisheries Division of DEFA on 685857 or, if that is not possible, their local police station immediately.
 
The public should not approach someone they suspect of fishing illegally.
 
Hoteliers, restaurateurs and publicans can assist by not accepting fish offered to them for sale via ‘the back door’ and reporting any such incidents to DEFA.
 
The Minister continued: ‘It is illegal to fish for salmon or sea trout at sea in Manx waters and even licensed freshwater anglers are not allowed to sell legally caught fish. Therefore, anyone buying or selling Manx salmon or sea trout is committing an offence and could face a fine of up to ?5,000 and/or a custodial sentence of up to six months.’
 
Information on freshwater fishing, including the Isle of Man Angling Guide and Anglers’ Code of Conduct, can be found at www.gov.im/categories/leisure-and-entertainment/recreational-fishing/freshwater-fishing/