Notice is hereby given that the Environment Agency is applying to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural affairs for confirmation of byelaws made under paragraph 6 of Schedule 25 to the Water Resources Act 1991.

The byelaws will apply to the catchments of the rivers Dee and Wye in England and include:

• Mandatory catch and release of salmon on the River Dee,

• Mandatory catch and release for sea trout before 1 May on the River Dee,

• A 60cm maximum size length limit for sea trout on the River Dee,

• Method restrictions (bait, barbless hooks and trebles) so that released fish have an improved chance of survival. These will apply to both the rivers Dee and Wye

The byelaws are intended to protect vulnerable salmon and sea trout stocks, while maintaining many of the important benefits associated with the fisheries.

The controls would be in place until the 31 December 2027, with a comprehensive review into their effectiveness after five years.

Copies of the byelaws have been deposited at the offices at the addresses shown here and will be open to inspection free of charge from Monday to Friday during normal office hours from the date of publication of this notice for 84 days until 5 February 2018.

During the same period a copy of the byelaws will be supplied by these offices on demand free of charge to any person or by emailing S5PA@environment-agency.gov.uk.

A person who wishes to object to the confirmation of any of the byelaws must send a copy of their objection in writing to: Delyth Dyne, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Area 8A/B, Millbank c/o Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR and must send a copy of the statement of objection to The Fisheries Officer (Salmon and Sea Trout Cross Border Byelaws), Rivers House, Sunrise Business Park, Higher Shaftesbury Road, Blandford Forum, DT11 8ST.

Or email: freshwater.fish@DEFRA.gsi.gov.uk

Objections must be received no later than 5 February 2018.

Director of Legal Services

Addresses of Environment Agency offices: Richard Fairclough House, Knutsford Road, Latchford, Warrington, Cheshire, WA4 1HT. Riversmeet House, Newtown Industrial Estate, Northway Lane, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 8JG.