Men fined over salmon poaching

Two men from Cumbria have been fined after being caught poaching salmon.

John Taylor, 43, from Queens Crescent and Derek Bulman, 22, from Arlecdon Road, pleaded guilty to two offences when they appeared at Whitehaven Magistrates' Court.

The prosecution was brought by the Environment Agency, after one of its bailiffs spotted the men near Ennerdale Bridge on 14 December last year.

The Agency bailiff telephoned for assistance, and he was joined by a colleague.

Live fish

Taylor and Bulman made their way to a black car parked near the church in Ennerdale village where the bailiffs confronted them.

They found a live salmon, weighing about 5lbs, in a plastic bag in Taylor's jacket.

The fish had two hookmarks in its stomach.

Taylor's jacket also concealed an extendable "gaff hook" - an illegal pole with a hook attached - used for landing large fish.

Both this and the salmon were confiscated by the bailiffs.

The men were fined £500 each, and ordered to pay £125 costs.