27/06/2005 - Nearly 350
illegal anglers were successfully prosecuted
by the Environment Agency for rod fishing
licence offences in May 2005, representing
a 30% drop compared to the 504 successful
prosecutions in April.
The total number of successful prosecutions
for the month totalled 342. Fines totalled
£22,001 with costs of £20,370
awarded to the Environment Agency, making
the average cost of an illegal fishing trip
for May around £124. In April, however,
fines totalled £30, 275 with costs awarded
to the Environment Agency of £31, 680.
The highest fine for May was £500 imposed
on an illegal angler prosecuted at Carlisle
Magistrates court for fishing for Salmon without
a valid rod licence on the River Eden. Regionally,
the highest number of successful prosecutions
occurred in the Thames region, which saw almost
160 successful cases concluded in the four-week
period.
Dafydd Evans, the Environment Agency’s Head
of Fisheries said ‘It is good news that our
enforcement officers on the banks are continuing
to catch illegal anglers – they are out there
and we will prosecute people caught fishing
without a licence.
Rod licence fees are essential in improving
and maintaining the standard of fisheries
in England and Wales for all those who use
them, which is why we have this programme
of enforcement.’
‘Some anglers, however, do still choose to
play unfairly and cheat honest anglers out
of valuable resource for fisheries across
England and Wales. Those who fish without
a licence face tough penalties including fines
of up to £2,500 and a ban from fishing.’
Buying a licence couldn’t be easier – there
are around 15,000 Post Offices and other outlets
which sell them direct; and for a small additional
charge they can be purchased over the phone
(0870 1662662) or from our web site (see link).
