Buy
a rod licence or bag a fine is the message
today as the Environment Agency begins an
extensive series of angling licence blitzes.
Environment Agency enforcement
officers will be visiting waters in North
London, Middlesex, Hertfordshire and West
Essex over intense two and three day periods
to catch those fishing without a licence.
Illegal fishermen are
being specifically targeted in these areas
as the rod licence evasion rate is three
times the national average. A nation-wide
blitz on rod licences took place in June
of this year, and results highlighted that
this area has the highest rod evasion rate
in England and Wales. Efforts to crack down
on offenders will also be strengthened by
extra enforcement officers drafted in to
help from other Thames region offices.
Fishing without a licence
is an offence and anyone caught fishing
illegally can expect to face tough penalties,
including a fine of up to £2,500 and
even a ban from fishing.
Not only is fishing
without a licence illegal, but licence dodgers
are also cheating fellow anglers and the
future of angling, as money raised by rod
licence sales goes straight back into fisheries.
Work including disease detection, enforcement
of illegal fish movements and audit of foreign
species is all funded by rod licence revenue.
Money raised from rod licence sales is put
straight back into improving the environment
such as restocking, improving habitats and
improving access to fishing for all parts
of the community.
Andy Strevens, the Environment
Agency’s strategic specialist for fisheries,
said: ”Anglers must ensure they have a valid
licence before they start fishing or face
the real prospect of prosecution. Anglers
who evade the licence fee are not only breaking
the law but also cheating their fellow anglers
and we will leave no stone unturned in tracking
them down.
“People fishing illegally
can expect to be challenged by one of our
enforcement officers in the coming months.
The message is – buy a licence now, or risk
the consequences.”
Anyone aged 12 years
or over who fishes for salmon, trout, freshwater
fish or eels in England and Wales must have
an Environment Agency Rod Fishing Licence.
These are readily available and can be purchased
from Post Offices, over the telephone, online
and by direct debit.
Buying a licence couldn’t
be easier – there are around 15,000 Post
Offices and other outlets which sell direct;
and for a small additional charge they can
be purchased over the phone (0870 1662662)
or from our web site – www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence
