Two fishermen have been fined and ordered to pay costs after being found guilty of illegally setting nets in a Cornish river.

On, December 5, Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (Cornwall IFCA) successfully prosecuted Dean Rollason (28) of 8 Bridwell Road, Weston Mill, Plymouth and Shane Barton (40) of 76 Lanhydrock Road, Plymouth for using a net which was illegally set in the River Camel.

As part of a joint operation with the Environment Agency, Mr Rollason was found hauling a net which had become fixed by becoming entangled with the rocky shore.

Both he and Shane Barton, owner of the ‘Nicky Noo’, were found guilty at Bodmin Magistrates Court. They were fined £500 and £400, plus £50 and £40 victim surcharge, respectively, with each having to pay £2889.25 costs.

The court heard that the net was not intended to be fixed, but had been drifting before becoming snagged and made stationary along the rocky shore as the tide went out. However, Cornwall IFCA was able to demonstrate that they had written to both defendants in July 2013, stating that if a net should become anchored in any way it could be considered a fixed net.

Simon Cadman, principal enforcement officer for Cornwall IFCA said. “Detecting illegally set nets in rivers is one of our key enforcement priorities. This successful prosecution should send a clear message that we are looking closely at this and that the Court also takes such matters seriously.

"In areas where a drift net can be used legally, fishermen must recognise that if it is used in shallow waters, or close to moorings and other fixed objects, the net is at risk from becoming fixed in position, which in some areas could be illegal.”

Chris Hitchings, from the Environment Agency said “This prosecution show that officers from the EA and partner organisations are out in force protecting Cornwall’s rivers. If anyone has information about illegal fishing they wish to report to us please contact the Environment Agency's free 24-hour hotline on 0800 80 70 60.”