FISHERMEN from Cumbria's Solway Estuary are claiming that fishing methods they have used for hundreds of years are under threat from a new bureaucracy. The fishermen use a novel method of catching fish by immersing themselves waste high in water during tidal ebbing and flowing to catch mainly salmon and sea trout.

It is method that was adopted by the invading Vikings more than 1,000 years ago, but it may even go back to Roman times.

The men carry home-made "haafs", which are shaped like giant butterfly nets, to capture and scoop up their prey before despatching the fish with a wooden mallet. They shun the light convenience of rods and the industrial efficiency of commercial traps.

Now their activities are regulated by the time of the tides. New by-laws mean the netters can fish only on weekdays between 10am and 10pm.

The problem is that the Environment Agency, which regulates the waters, has brought in new rules which it says are aimed at conserving fish stocks and are not designed at ending ancient fishing customs.

Mark Graham, the chairman of the Haaf Netters Association said his members livelihood were seriously being threatened .'We are being regulated out of existence.We are finding it almost impossible to fish these days.'

He said the association was seeking a judicial review to get the restrictions overturned. The haaf netters say this season has been poor for catches but insist there are plenty of fish if only they were allowed to catch them.

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