Man and boy charged with alleged salmon poaching

A man and 14-year-old boy have been charged with alleged salmon poaching at a Scottish beach.

Officers allegedly found a quantity of fish, understood to be salmon and believed to have been caught using illegal nets. Picture: Getty

The pair were arrested al Elliot Sands in Abroath’s West Links in Angus following a joint operation between water bailiffs and police.

Bailiffs employed and instructed by the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board suspected that illegal fishing was taking place at Elliot Sands.

But they needed the help of the police to stop and search the targeted vehicle.

Officers allegedly found a quantity of fish, understood to be salmon, and believed to have been caught using illegal nets.

Police held a man and boy for questioning and subsequently charged them in connection with the incident.

They were charged under the Salmon and Fisheries Consolidation Act 2003.

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “Tayside Division can confirm a 14-year-old boy and a 40-year-old man were charged in connection with poaching at Elliot Sands by Arbroath on

June 7.

“A report was sent to the Youth Justice Assessor and procurator fiscal.”

The Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board is the statutory organisation for the Tay catchment responsible for the management of Atlantic salmon and sea trout.

A spokesman for Tay District Salmon Fisheries said: “We can confirm that somebody was allegedly caught fishing illegally and proceedings are ongoing.”

Simon Milne MBE, chief executive of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: “The North Atlantic salmon is a precious resource and its fishing is carefully regulated.

“The poaching of salmon is a wildlife crime and is condemned by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, responsible anglers and all those who care for wildlife.”