Increase in illegal fishing nets in Essex during pandemic
The Environment Agency seized 52 illegal devices along the region's rivers during March and December 2020
The number of illegal fishing devices seized along East Anglian river banks has increased during the pandemic.
According to the Environment Agency, officers recovered 52 between last March and December, compared to 30 for the whole of 2019.
That includes 14 in Suffolk and Essex, 12 in Norfolk, and 26 in Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire.
They trap eels, crayfish, water voles, otters and coarse fish, and pose a "significant" risk to wildlife and fish stocks.
Lesley Robertson, Enforcement Team Leader for Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk, said: "Traps and nets can often be seen from the river bank, and identified by a rope tied to the bankside.
"We are very grateful to those who report these illegal traps. Without that information, illegal traps and nets might still be there causing damage to wildlife.
"We encourage the public to keep their eyes peeled for any suspicious fishing activities and to call us on our incident hotline with details, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
"Our officers are regularly out patrolling the river banks and we will not hesitate to take enforcement action where anglers are found to be flouting the rules."
Anyone who sees illegal nets or traps are asked to contact 0800 807060 to allow the Environment Agency to investigate.