POLICE responded to reports of illegal fishing at Southannan Sands in Fairlie - and made a big catch.

Illegal fishing nets were seized after a swoop by officers and representatives of Marine Scotland last Tuesday afternoon.

A full investigation is now underway by Police Scotland's wildlife crime team.

The News understands that the operation recovered illegal gill nets, equipment which poses a major threat to all kinds of wildlife, including birds, porpoises and seals which feed in the water and become entangled.

David Nairn, who runs the Fairlie Coastal project, said: "It was fantastic community action, leading to confiscation of illegal mono gill nets on the site of special scientific interest.

"Many thanks to North Ayrshire Police and Hunterston nuclear civil police for responding to local wildlife crime and catching people red handed.

"It is over to Scottish Natural Heritage and Marine Scotland compliance department to follow up with a prosecution and send a clear signal that targeting this area is not an option."

David praised members of the public for keeping a close eye on the coastline - and reporting the matter.

He said: "A lot has been happening at Southannan Sands.

"We have had issues with the illegal cockle pickers in recent months so it is good that people are a close eye on the area and reporting anything which is suspicious.

"There are a lot of immature nursery fish so it was a positive result that the nets were taken from an individual at the scene.

"There is no grey area when it comes to using mono gill nets - they are illegal in Scotland.

"People use them to corral the fish into one area and scoop them all out in big numbers. It is fantastic that Marine Scotland are going to be investigating this and we would urge the public to continue to keep a close eye in what is going on.

"Community marine stewardship is the key. We are asking anyone who sees any unusual activity on the site to get in touch with Fairlie Coastal and we will have a look.

"It is all about education and we can go down and chat with people and explain to educationally and in a non confrontational way why they are damaging the area."

Scottish Natural Heritage say it is important for people to be vigilant about possible poaching and the use of illegal gill nets and to report cases to Police Scotland.

A Police Scotland spokesperson added: "We received a report of illegal fishing in Fairlie.

"Officers attended and information was passed to the local wildlife crime officer who will carry out an investigation."