11/04/2006 - A day licence
to fish for coarse fish and non-migratory trout
costs just £3.25. Not having bought one
cost three anglers a total of £360 in fines
and costs at Mold Magistrates’ Court on 5th of
April 2006. The prosecutions were brought by Environment
Agency Wales.
All three had pleaded guilty,
but did not attend court:
Alistair McKenzie of Blackthorn
Close, Huntingdon, Chester seen fishing at Gweryd
Lake. Llanarmon Yn Ial on 22 August 2005. Kevin
Groom and his son, also called Kevin, both of
Dale Side, Buckley, Clwyd were seen fishing at
Offa’s Dyke, Llandynydd on 25 August 2005.
They were fined £50 each
and were each ordered to pay £70 in costs.
Fishing without a licence is
an offence under Section 27(a) of the Salmon and
Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 (SAFFA'75).
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. Why risk a fine? Buy a licence before
starting to fish. Our enforcement officers will
continue to carry out checks, andwe will prosecute
offenders as necessary. '
