 EA Enforcement Officers with Staffordshire Police check rod licences. | Fishing without a licence has cost two men from the West Midlands more than £1,000. Jon Hill, 27 of Dunbar Close, Stafford and Sean Hill, 20 of East Holme, Stone, took a fishing day trip to Carney Pools in Bishton, Stafford on 9th May 2021. |
However the pair were fishing without a licence, which would have cost just £30.00 for a full year, and were subsequently ordered to pay £619.00 each at Cannock Magistrates Court.
Following the verdict, Nichola Tomlinson, fisheries enforcement team leader for the Environment Agency, said: "This case shows how seriously the courts take these offences and we hope the high penalty will act as a deterrent to any angler who is thinking of fishing without a licence.
"Fishing illegally can incur a fine of up to £2,500 and offenders can also have their fishing equipment seized.
"We inspect rod licences throughout the West Midlands and work 24/7, seven days a week to check on cases of illegal fishing.
"Money raised from fishing licence sales is used to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries, benefitting anglers and, for those caught cheating the system, we will always prosecute."
The penalties included a fine of £440.00 for fishing without a licence contrary to the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act (1975), costs of £135.00 and a victim surcharge of £44.00.
Any angler aged 13 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence.
Licences are available at gov.uk/get-a-fishing-licence or by calling the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386.
Following the verdict, Nichola Tomlinson, fisheries enforcement team leader for the Environment Agency, said: "This case shows how seriously the courts take these offences and we hope the high penalty will act as a deterrent to any angler who is thinking of fishing without a licence.
"Fishing illegally can incur a fine of up to £2,500 and offenders can also have their fishing equipment seized.
"We inspect rod licences throughout the West Midlands and work 24/7, seven days a week to check on cases of illegal fishing.
"Money raised from fishing licence sales is used to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries, benefitting anglers and, for those caught cheating the system, we will always prosecute."
The penalties included a fine of £440.00 for fishing without a licence contrary to the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act (1975), costs of £135.00 and a victim surcharge of £44.00.
Any angler aged 13 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence.
Licences are available at gov.uk/get-a-fishing-licence or by calling the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386.
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