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FINES TOP £50,000 FOR ILLEGAL FISHING IN THE UK

30/4/2024

Fishing without a rod licence in UK freshwater lakes and rivers is a criminal offence, and this year alone fines have reached £54,343 in the first three months, from January to March, with the average fine amounting to £380. The data released by the Environment Agency (EA) reveals a rise in offences compared to 2023.

This increase can be attributed to more checks by Environment Fishery Enforcement Officers, as well as additional intelligence and support from Angling Trust Voluntary Bailiffs, who are now seeing the benefits of collaborative efforts to clamp down on illegal fishing and practices.

While there is often criticism that not enough is being done to prevent illegal fishing, it appears that the EA and Angling Trust are striving to improve, making the best use of the resources currently available to them. The Angling Trust Enforcement work is fully funded by rod licence income delivered in partnership with the Environment Agency and works to prevent all forms of illegal activity on UK waters.

The funds raised from licence sales are allocated to improving fish stocks and promoting angling, including various programs delivered by the Angling Trust itself.

For more information on purchasing a rod licence, you can buy one here: www.gov.uk/fishing-licences

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer bailiff, you can apply here: www.anglingtrust.net/vbsapplication"

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HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE FUTURE OF FISHERIES ENFORCEMENT

27/4/2024

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For the very first time, you can have your say on fisheries and environment related crime in your area, and shape the future of enforcement. The Angling Trust have launched a survey that they hope will build an understanding into the current views of anglers towards the current issues facing our

fisheries. Pollution, fish theft and illegal angling are all involved, and if you've experienced any, or simply wish to help tackle them, you're urged to take part.

"For the very first time, the Angling Trust are looking for your observations and thoughts on fisheries and environment related crime in your area," says Joel Virgo, Communications Manager for the Fisheries Enforcement Support Service.

"This survey is completely anonymous, only takes around 10 minutes, and will greatly help the Fisheries Enforcement Support Service in their work," he said.

To take part, visit: https://forms.office.com/pages to have your say!!!

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£150,000 AVAILABLE TO HELP TACKLE FISH PREDATION AS ANGLING IMPROVEMENT FUND REOPENS

15/4/2024

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The Angling Improvement Fund (AIF) has reopened for applications for funding towards projects tackling the impacts of predation by mammals and fish-eating birds.

The AIF is administered by the Angling Trust and is just one of the ways the Environment Agency is reinvesting income from fishing licence sales in projects which benefit anglers. As all the funds come directly from rod licence income collected in England, only projects in England are eligible.

£150,000 is being made available in this latest round of funding and applications for up to £6,000 funding are invited from clubs, fisheries and other angling-related organisations.
For detailed information on the application process, eligibility criteria, and to submit your application, please visit our dedicated page here.

Andy Petch, Angling Trust Funding Manager, said: “This initiative represents a vital effort to safeguard our fisheries against predation pressures and ensure the health and sustainability of fish populations for future generations. We urge clubs and fisheries to consider how they might contribute to these efforts and take advantage of this funding opportunity.

“This AIF round is likely to be over-subscribed and therefore only the best submissions can be supported. If your club or fishery is considering applying, make sure you answer all the questions, ensure your project is ready to go with all permissions in place, and you have secured as much match funding as possible.”

Closing date for applications is Friday, 17 May, at 5pm.

Applicants requiring further assistance should email Andy via [email protected]

Information about other funding opportunities can be found here.

Watch: How to get funding for an otter fence, with Ian Chilcott

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MIDLANDS ANGLERS FINED FOR ILLEGAL FISHING

12/4/2024

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Three anglers from the West Midlands have been ordered to pay a total of £1,040 for illegal fishing. The anglers, from Redditch and Walsall, admitted to the offences in cases heard at Northampton Magistrates' Court on April 4.

Jack Lewandowski, aged 33, of Frankton Close, Redditch, pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence at Harvington near Evesham on October 15, 2023.

He was fined £129 and ordered to pay £135 costs and a £103 victim surcharge.

He also admitted to removing bream contrary to byelaws and was fined a further £129 bringing the total costs he was ordered to pay to a total of £496.

Alfred Bradford, aged 45, of Foster Street, Walsall, admitted two offences when fishing at Norton Mere near Tong in Staffordshire on August 15, 2023.

He was fined £40 for fishing without a licence and ordered to pay £135 costs and £32 surcharge. He also pleaded guilty to leaving a rod and line with its bait or hook in the water unattended.

Bradford was fined an additional £40 for a total of £247.

Shane Edwards, aged 36, of Chantry Avenue, Walsall, admitted to fishing without a licence at Powell's Pool, Sutton Park, on January 30. He was fined £116 and ordered to pay costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £46 for a total of £297.

Nichola Tomlinson, Fisheries Enforcement Team Leader for the Environment Agency in the West Midlands, said: “We hope these penalties will act as a deterrent to anyone who is thinking of breaking the laws and byelaws for angling in England.  

  “The cases show how seriously the courts take these offences and these anglers have been rightly punished for the illegal fishing they undertook.  

"Fishing illegally can incur a fine of up to £2,500 and offenders can also have their fishing equipment seized.  We inspect rod licences 24/7, seven days a week to check on cases of illegal fishing.

“Anyone with information about illegal fishing activities can contact the Environment Agency incident hotline 24/7 on 0800 807060 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

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ANGLING COACHES’ CONFERENCE - SATURDAY 20TH APRIL 2024

8/4/2024

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The Angling Trust coaching conference is back: this is a great opportunity for licensed coaches to come together and network, especially new coaches.

Topics for this event:

Empowering Learning: Open Questions Challenge (L1/L2)
Pike Anglers
Non Native Invasive Species
Reel Education Angling Trust and Shakespeare engagement programme
Get Fishing and Angling Trust Future Funding streams
How To Observe: Level 2 core coaching tool

Coaching Conference Agenda

Coaching and Angler Pathway
Reel Education programme: Neil Wylie
Leading Safer Events: Part of New level 2 (Practical session) Richard Hadley
Active Partnership: Welfare Officer national support network
Campaigns and Marine: Stuart Singleton-Whyte
Pike Angling Club England
Coaching people with Mental Health Issues: David Bailey, Tackling Minds
CAST Awards development (Practical session) Richard Hadley
Casting Master Class: Karl Humphries
New Rigs and How to Tie Them: Martyn Green
Carp Fishing Master Class: Dean Asplin

The event is FREE to attend and lunch is provided

REGISTER HERE : https://anglingtrust.net/events/coaches-conference/

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FINES TOP £50,000 FOR ILLEGAL FISHING IN THE UK

HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE FUTURE OF FISHERIES ENFORCEMENT

£150,000 AVAILABLE TO HELP TACKLE FISH PREDATION AS ANGLING IMPROVEMENT FUND REOPENS

MIDLANDS ANGLERS FINED FOR ILLEGAL FISHING

ANGLING COACHES’ CONFERENCE - SATURDAY 20TH APRIL 2024

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