Two men have been in court after being caught illegally fishing by setting up a net across a river.

Gwent Police, in partnership with Natural Resources Wales, successfully prosecuted Shane HANSON and Dale WALLIS from Pontyclun, Rhondda Cynon Taf in connection with the illegal netting of the River Thaw at Aberthaw. The males travelled to the river in the early hours of the morning of 22nd July 2022 and set a 20 metre gill net across the river, retrieving it a few hours later, with significant catches of fish. The River Thaw is in a conservation area and is protected against offences such as this.

The pair were ordered to pay £1,730 in fines and costs when they admitted the charges in court on Friday, November 4 2022.

This successful prosecution demonstrates partner agency collaboration and should remind people that illegal angling and netting will not be tolerated. All offences will be investigated, and offenders will be prosecuted.

PC Mark Powell said: “Police forces across Wales are successfully working with Natural Resources Wales and the National Wildlife Crime Unit to investigate and prosecute those responsible for committing wildlife and rural crime offences. It’s so important to preserve already dwindling native species such as salmon, sea trout, and shad. We welcome sentences of this magnitude which I believe will go a long way to deter others from committing future offences.”