PROVO, Utah, June 9, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — More than 130 white bass were killed when they became trapped in an illegal gill net under Provo’s Center Street bridge.
An angler fishing where the Provo River comes into Utah Lake State Park snagged something, and when he pulled his line up he saw a net filled with fish, according to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
A reported 132 dead fish were in the net, and more had come loose and washed downstream.
According to a Utah DWR news release, officers watched the area for several days, hoping the suspect would return. When he or she did not, they removed the net. The total loss of fish resulting from this net was valued high enough to make this violation a third-degree felony.
The DWR statement said thousands of white bass and other fish have been swimming up the rivers, to spawn.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is seeking help from the public to catch the person or people who placed the illegal net. Anyone with information is asked to call the UTIP hotline at 800-662-3337, or contact officer Sean Spencer directly at 801-618-8945 or seanspencer@utah.gov. Rewards may be available.
