New salmon fishing proposals would force a 1,000-year-old haaf net fishery on the Solway Firth to close down, it’s been claimed.

The Environment Agency is currently consulting on plans to protect salmon and sea trout by reducing the numbers being caught.

It wants to introduce new ways of fishing on the Rivers Eden, Border Esk and in the Solway Firth.

Mark Messenger, chairman of the Solway Haaf Netters Society, says if haaf netting were to stop it would reduce his turnover by about 60 per cent as he serves fresh fish in the summer in his restaurant at The Highland Laddie at Glasson, near Wigton.

Mr Messenger said: "The Environment Agency attempted to close the Haaf net fishery down in 2015/16 by trying to introduce a three fish seasonal limit which was turned over back to 10 fish, following an appeal, when Environment Agency independent experts ruled it unfair.

"I have sat in meetings for two years to find a solution to conserve stocks and allow us to continue to fish.

"They now propose that we cannot fish for salmon at all, which will close our fishery down.

"I know it is not an easy job for Environment Agency managers to balance regulations to please everyone, but they have no credibility on the Solway unless they can start to talk straight to us and not manipulate our views to their own ends."

Mr Messenger, who has been haaf netting for about 12 years, says a solution must be found to keep the ancient art going.

He said: "There must be a solution to keep this fishery going. We have an incredible heritage.

"A professor from York's Viking museum called us living archaeology.

"Catching a salmon with a haaf net chest deep in the Solway Firth is difficult, strenuous and dangerous.

"Fishermen will not risk these dangers to catch a salmon and return it. By making our fishery catch and release only for salmon will put us out of business.

"This is not a sea trout fishery, never has and never will be. We are a salmon fishery.

"Most of the the sea trout have migrated up the rivers in April and May, by the time we are allowing to begin fishing in June.

"The proposals will also have significant implications for my business.

"I have a restaurant which serves fresh salmon to visitors in the summer months and I think it will reduce my turnover by more than 60 per cent."

The Haaf Net fishery has been in continuous operation since around 900 AD when Norse Irish settlers came to Cumbria from Dublin and Isle of Man.

The best farmland was in use so they exploited the resources of the estuary.

Restrictions began in the nineteenth century and became more severe at the end of this century.

Ben Bayliss, senior officer for the Environment Agency, said: "Stocks of salmon are in decline and it’s vital that we take action now in order to further protect these iconic fish.

"We understand that people are passionate about these traditions, that’s why, in recognition of the traditional nature of the fishery, we are proposing to increase the amount of time that haaf netters can go fishing.

"Our proposals allow for licensed haaf netters to fish for longer during the day and at weekends.

"The only difference will be that they must release any salmon they catch rather than kill them.

"This will ensure more fish make it to their spawning grounds and contribute to their recovery.

"Under the proposals, licenced haaf netters would still be able to take a limited number of sea trout should they wish to do so.

"While we do not believe the wider economy will be affected by the new regulations, we understand people’s concerns.

"However, it’s important to note that if the salmon population collapsed entirely, it would have a far-reaching impact on the regional economy and the sport.

"You can find out more about our proposals and register your comments online at: https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/fisheries/border-esk-river-eden-and-solway-firth-2018 ."

The four week consultation closes on February 16.