More than two dozen people have been arrested for illegally fishing elvers in southwest Nova Scotia.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans says 26 people have been arrested since March 6.

Six vehicles, dozens of nets, and over 6.5 kilograms of the baby eels were seized.

DFO says their officers are patrolling rivers and export points to deter elver fishing, which are worth about $5,000 per kilo.

The federal minister decided not to open the elver fishery in 2024 because of concerns over poaching and violence.

The industry and opposition have panned the decision, saying it will lead to even more poaching.

The department says they are working on new regulations for the lucrative fishery, but they wouldn’t have been in place in time for this season.