A FULL criminal investigation is being conducted into an allegation of illegal fishing of sea bass in Poole Harbour in the early hours of Monday morning.

In a statement issued yesterday, Robert Clark, Chief Officer of the Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority said: “Southern IFCA has received reports of alleged illegal fishing in Poole Harbour which occurred in the early hours of 26/08. An investigation was launched immediately.

“We are aware of reports and statements on social media and we have received a number of direct enquiries. Following an appeal for witnesses, by Southern IFCA, several people have come forward and they are assisting with enquiries at this time.

“Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Officers (IFCOs) are in the process of obtaining statements and securing evidence, we are also working with our partners in Dorset Police in this process. We should like to thank those who have come forward with information and provide assurance that a full criminal investigation is being conducted.”

He said that bass stocks were in a ‘perilous state’ and the protection of those stocks was: “A priority for the UK government and for the local Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities.”

In the Southern IFCA District there are a number of bass nursery areas of which Poole Harbour is one, which means at this time of year, fishing for bass from any vessel, is prohibited.

However, the IFCA received a report from a Hampshire recreational fisherman of alleged landing of sea bass and the Daily Echo received messages from fishermen, enquiring about the allegations.

Sea Bass are protected under the Marine Management Organisation which said in February this year that throughout 2018, commercial bass fishing from the shore would be prohibited.

Recreational fishermen who catch bass in a number of areas, including off Poole, must immediately return the creatures to the water.