27/06/2005 - A dozen
anglers have received over £2,500
in fines and costs at courts this week for
fishing, or intending to fish without a
rod licence. A day licence to fish for coarse
fish and non-migratory trout costs just
£3. The prosecutions were brought
by Environment Agency Wales at Magistrates'
Courts in Bridgend, Carmarthen, Abergavenny
and Mold.
Fishing without a licence is an offence
under Section 27(a) of the Salmon and Freshwater
Fisheries Act 1975 (SAFFA'75).
At Bridgend Magistrates' Court on Monday
13 June 2005:
Clive Gumms of Hillside Terrace, Pant yr
Awell, Ogmore Vale was seen fishing on 21
January 2005. He had attended court.
Karl Chubb of Marion Street, Tonypandy
was seen fishing on 11 March 2005. He had
pleaded guilty by post.
They were fined £100 each and were
ordered to pay costs of £45 each.
Both men were seen fishing at Seven Oaks,
Bridgend.
At Carmarthen Magistrates' Court on Monday
13 June 2005:
Michael and Simon Williams, both of Old
Lodge Estate, Llanelli were seen fishing
at Bro Tywi Fishery in Carmarthen on 29
January 2005. They were each fined £80
and ordered to pay costs of £80 each.
At Abergavenny Magistrates' Court on Tuesday
14 June 2005:
Andrew Curle of Church Street, Newport
was seen fishing at Cwmbran Boating Lake
on 24 September 2004. He was found guilty
in his absence and was fined £200
with £85 costs.
Scott Morgan of Miskin House, Miskin Green,
Llanyravon, Cwmbran, Gwent was seen fishing
at Llantarnam Ponds, Cwmbran also on 24
September 2004. He pleaded guilty by post
and was fined £130 with £60
costs.
The following offences all took place on
24 October 2004 at Peterstone Lakes, Newport,
Gwent:-
Paul Evans of Cot Farm Circle, Ringland,
Newport, Gwent and David Fenton of Wentloog
Road, Rumney, Cardiff were both seen fishing.
They had their cases proved in their absence
and were each fined £200 with £85
costs each.
Christopher Stoneman of Dibdin Close, Ringland,
Newport was seen fishing, pleaded guilty
by post and was fined £130 with £60
costs.
Gavin May of Gaskell Street, Newport was
seen fishing, pleaded guilty by post and
was fined £100 with £60 costs.
Andrew Buss of Mill House, Bluebell Drive,
Old St Mellons, Cardiff was seen with fishing
equipment in his possession, intending to
use it without a licence. This is an offence
contrary to Section 27(b) of SAFFA 75. The
case was proved in his absence and he was
fined £200 with £85 costs.
At Mold Magistrates' Court on Wednesday
15 June 2005:
Stephen Shone of Princess of Wales Court,
Buckley was seen fishing at Offa's Dyke
Fishery, Llanfynydd on 28 March 2005. He
pleaded guilty by post, was fined £200
and ordered to pay £85 in costs.
Following the cases an Agency spokesperson
commented: 'The income from rod licence
sales is re-invested in improvements to
fisheries. Those who seek to avoid paying
for a licence are depriving their fellow
anglers of this much-needed income. We hope
these cases will serve as a warning to others.
Avoid a fine, and buy a licence before starting
to fish. Our enforcement officers will continue
to carry out checks, and we will prosecute
offenders as necessary. '
