7 salmon poachers snared by the bailiffs
Seven salmon poachers were caught and their gear seized in an operation by water bailiffs.
The rogue group - four men and three women - had driven into the countryside to raid the
River Girvan.
They hit a salmon and trout rich pool on the private
Kilkerran beat upstream from
Dailly Angling Club’s waters.
But the River Girvan Bailiffs backed by police caught them red- handed.
The group arrived in two cars, river. One of the bailiffs, who “No salmon had been caught Bailiffs arrived after receiving parked up, and walked down to must remain anonymous, said: or they would not have got off a tip off of the illegal fishing the river bank. “These people were from Ayr, so lightly.” during the day on Sunday, May
As well as poaching, they Hurlford and Kilmarnock. In fact they could have faced 10. Rods, reels and tackle were were breaking lockdown rules “They were a bit shocked a criminal prosecution and had seized, names and addresses and no Sunday angling on the when we descended on them. their cars seized. of the poachers taken and a
No salmon had been caught or they would not have got off so lightly warning given.
The River Girvan bailiff team patrol from the sea the full length of the river up the Dailly valley to beyond Straiton, day and night 365 days a year.
The bailiff added: “If caught fishing illegally, or without a permit/ ticket you will be commiting an offence to which you will be dealt with accordingly. We work closely with our colleagues from Police Scotland who will attend swiftly at our request to any poaching related incident and we are always grateful for their assistance.”
Police were called to remove an angler sea fishing from Girvan pier during lockdown. If anyone is aware of poaching on or near salmons rivers like the Girvan, Stinchar and Ayr, alert police on 101.