Illegal traps discovered in Horley river

The traps were not permitted by the Environment Agency and did not have any EA tags or otter guards fitted.

They have been seized by EA fisheries enforcement officers.

A man, aged approximately 50, wearing dark trousers and a bright blue raincoat, was seen in the area, possibly looking for the traps.

The EA is keen to obtain any further information on any more sightings of traps or nets in this location, and elsewhere on the River Mole. Legally set traps will have an EA tag with a unique number attached to them. If there is no tag then the trap will be unauthorised.

Any sightings of people setting traps or nets in the River Mole, or any unauthorised nets seen in the river, should be called into the Environment Agency emergency hotline on 0800 80 70 60.

The EA is urging anyone who sees any traps to leave them in place until a fisheries officer has spoken to them to discuss the incident.

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