A man has been reported to police after he was caught deep fishing illegally with lights and a speargun and threatening fisheries officers in Paphos, it was announced on Thursday.

According to a written statement, the incident happened at around 9pm Tuesday, after fisheries department officers went to check the area following a tip-off.

The man who was known to the officers over similar offences in the past, was uncooperative and threatened them with the speargun after they spotted him.

The incident was reported to the police while the fisheries department will also report the man for illegal fishing.