The last salmon fisherman on the River Severn is embroiled in a legal battle with the Environment Agency - after catching just a single fish too many . Nigel Mott , 71 , has been catching salmon in traditional basket traps since the 1970s and once netted up to 600 fish a year worth £100 each . But his livelihood was thrown into doubt in 2012 when the Environment Agency ruled that no individual fisherman could land more than 30 in a season . Nigel Mott is the last remaining commercial salmon fisherman on the River Severn and claims it is impossible for him to make a living if he is restricted to catching just 30 fish in a season . The River Severn . Nigel 's home in Stroat , Gloucestershire , is around six miles from the town of Lydney , off which he fishes . The 71-year-old used to catch up to 600 salmon a year worth £100 each . Defiant Nigel continued to use his putcher rank - an array of 650 basket-like traps - and hit the quota in just 26 days . As a protest he presented his 31st fish to the local Environment Agency office - and was duly prosecuted . He won his case but the agency has now announced plans to appeal the decision . Nigel said : 'When I caught the 30th fish , I rang them up and told them I was going to fish in excess of the 30 - I even brought them my 31st fish . 'They seized my fish and warned me of a prosecution - which is exactly what I wanted because I was very anxious to get my evidence before a court . ' The Environment Agency introduced the new quotas amid fears that the salmon population in the Severn was dangerously low . Nigel , of Stroat , Gloucestershire , has won his case , but must face another hearing in the Court of Appeal . After catching his 31st fish Nigel was prosecuted for breaching his licence and the case was heard at the High Court in London in February . Nigel , of Stroat , Gloucestershire , argued that the unreasonably low quota threatened his livelihood and would put him out of business . He claims his form of fishing has minimal impact on salmon in the Severn , as his putchers stretch out just a couple of hundred metres from the riverbank . That leaves a mile of open water for the fish to swim past his cages , he argued , allowing plenty of space . Despite winning the case his legal battle still shows no signs of ending as the Environment Agency has vowed to take it to the Court of Appeal . A spokesman said : 'Although the judge has at this stage ruled in Mr Mott 's favour , we will be seeking leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal . 'All of these sites are designated to protect salmon , and these populations are currently under threat . 'We impose restrictions on salmon fishing for all fisheries in these areas because of the need to protect the designated habitats and fisheries . '
Nigel Mott Mott has been fishing with traditional basket traps since the 1970s . Livelihood was thrown into doubt by 2012 Environment Agency diktat . 71-year-old argued he could not get by catching just 30 salmon a season . Challenged the ruling by presenting 31st fish to EA and was prosecuted . High Court ruled in his favour but case will now go to Court of Appeal . Nigel Mott , of Stroat , Gloucestershire , argues his 'putcher ' traps have minimal impact on salmon levels in the Severn as fish can easily swim past them .