Limit on anglers to protect stock

New regulation will affect anglers from the 2008 fishing season

New conservation measures to protect salmon and sea trout stocks in Cumbrian rivers have been approved by ministers.

Anglers in the Eden and Border Esk will be prohibited from killing more than two salmon and two sea trout per day.

They will also be required to release all female salmon and sea trout they catch from 10 September to the end of the respective fishing seasons.

In the English haaf net fishery in the Solway Firth, there will be a maximum of 105 licences issued annually.

The seaward boundary has also been moved four kilometres (2.5 miles) inshore.

The regulations for anglers will apply from the start of the 2008 fishing seasons and will be in place for 10 years.

Tony Dean, Environment Agency Regional Director, said: "These measures are necessary to safeguard stocks of salmon and sea trout for the future.

"We also believe that these restrictions have been shared appropriately between the haaf net fishery and anglers."