Fisheries owner nets fine for violating environmental legislation

A fishery owner has been fined for violating environmental legislation by introducing non-native fish into a river.

Raymond Gill pleaded guilty at Consett Magistrates' Court to one offence of illegally introducing fish to a watercourse.

He was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £350 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Kevin Summerson, the fisheries enforcement team leader at the Environment Agency, an executive non-departmental public body, said that the river, which is called Knitsley Burn, is a small watercourse that eventually feeds into the river Wear.

"Rainbow trout will compete with our natural wild fish for food and if illegal restockings like this were not detected and stopped there could be a significant impact on the already endangered stocks of wild brown trout," he stated.

Mr Summerson added that officers are highly-trained and conduct programmed and impromptu checks to ensure that stocking is carried out in accordance with permits in order to maintain the integrity of waters.

Written by Lauren Steadman