FOREST MP Mark Harper has been asked to step in to the growing row between local salmon fishermen and the Environment Agency over plans to restrict fishing in the Severn estuary.

The Environment Agency has recently closed a month-long consultation on the fishery which sought to establish the level of support the fishermen enjoyed and whether or not the fishery was regarded as of historical significance.

The Agency says that because the fishery is "mixed stock" and Severn netsmen could catch fish destined for the Wye, then controls have to be introduced.

The Severn lave-netters and draft net fishermen argue that genetically it is almost impossible to distinguish between Wye and Severn fish and that while stocks may be low in the Wye the number of fish in the Severn remains bouyant.

Now Mr Harper is being asked "to stand shoulder to shoulder" with Severn fishermen and press the Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon to recognise the historic importance of the Severn fisheries – a move, say the fishermen, which would enable the European Habitats Directive to be complied with while allowing a sustainable fishery to continue.

Peter Kavangh, vice-chairman of the Severn Estuary Netsmen's Association, said fishermen had already done much to support the steady recovery of salmon numbers in the Severn and now fished a highly restrictive 12-week season, dropping the months of February, March, April and May.

"I know of no other group of fishermen in the country to voluntarily agree to reduce their season by over half. We have done everything in our power to work with the Environment Agency but they still want more," he said.

"The majority of our members believe the time has come to make a stand and we have asked Mr Harper to meet with his fellow Gloucestershire MPs and then arrange a meeting with the Minister," he said.