FOUR otters have been found dead after getting caught in illegal eel traps. The otters, a protected species, were discovered at Barton Clay Pits by members of the Barton Wildfowlers gundog group.
The discovery came on the final day of the closed season for eel fishing.
Biodiversity officer for the Environment Agency Phil Smith said the Government agency would be looking to take action against those who set the traps.
He said: "It is tragic these four otters met their end by drowning in such an horrendous way, in nets being used illegally on an unauthorised site.
"If the people who set these nets are caught, we will not hesitate to prosecute. Eel nets should be used only with permission from the land owner and the consent of the Environment Agency."
The otters were found in a string of four fyke nets in the Humber bank clay pit.
These bag-shaped nets can be up to 5m long with 10m lead wings which guide eels into them.
Eel nets have to be licensed by the Environment Agency, in much the way that anglers need to license their fishing rods.
The nets must have a numbered tag to allow identification and have to be fitted with a guard to prevent otters entering them.
As well as failing to meet these conditions, the nets were placed during the closed season. Read More
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