ELVER fishermen are being warned to keep within the law when the season starts on Monday (February 15).

The Environment Agency has outlined the strict conditions imposed during the season, which runs until May 25, to ensure stocks are not over-exploited.

The 200 licensed elver fishermen in Somerset must register with the agency at the start of the season.

The fishing in Somerset is done with hand held 'dip nets', restricted to a metre long, 0.8 metres wide and 0.45metres deep, with handles no longer than 3 metres.

It is also restricted to more than 0 metres of any river obstruction, dam, inlet, outlet or fish pass that hinders the passage of elvers.

Richard Dearnley, of the Environment Agency, said: "We recognise the majority of elver fishermen operate responsibly and respect the law.

"We work closely with the police in detecting illegal fishing and, where we have evidence, won’t hesitate to prosecute offenders."

To report illegal or suspicious elver fishing call the EA on 0800-807060 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.