Crossword Genius

Place trap for fish around regions close to the Nile Delta? (4,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

near east

'close to the nile delta?' is the definition.
(area including and near Egypt)

'place trap for fish around regions' is the wordplay.
'place trap for fish' becomes 'net' (lay a net out).
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'regions' becomes 'areas' ('area' can be a synonym of 'region').
'net' placed around 'areas' is 'NEAR EAST'.

(Other definitions for near east that I've seen before include "SW Asia" , "The Balkans and Turkey" , "Western Asian states formerly" , "The Levant" , "Region between India and the Mediterranean" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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