 | An illegal fisherman caught without a rod licence has been taken to court and fined. James Morrison, aged 29, of The Chartway in Pelsall was fishing on February 4 at Badden Hall Pools in Eccleshall. |
North Staffordshire Justice Centre Magistrates' Court heard that he was found without a rod licence, to which he pleaded guilty to under Section 27(1)(a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
He was fined £300 and ordered to pay costs of £127 and a victim surcharge of £30, making the total penalty £457.
Andrew Eardley, of the Environment Agency, said: "I can't understand why a minority of anglers continue to risk prosecution for fishing without a licence. A licence costs just £30 and now lasts for twelve months from the day you buy it. Fishing licence money is invested into England's fisheries and rivers; improving the sport of angling.
"The minority of anglers that fail to buy a fishing licence are cheating their fellow anglers and the future of the sport. Fishing licence cheats risk a criminal conviction, a significant fine and could lose their fishing equipment."
Children under 12 are allowed to fish for free. Anyone aged 12 to 16 can also fish for free, but they need to have a valid Environment Agency fishing licence.
Anyone aged over 16 must pay for an Environment Agency fishing licence to fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel in England.
Anyone witnessing illegal fishing incidents can report it directly to the Environment Agency hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
Information on illegal fishing and environmental crime can also be reported anonymously to Crime stoppers on 0800 555 111.
He was fined £300 and ordered to pay costs of £127 and a victim surcharge of £30, making the total penalty £457.
Andrew Eardley, of the Environment Agency, said: "I can't understand why a minority of anglers continue to risk prosecution for fishing without a licence. A licence costs just £30 and now lasts for twelve months from the day you buy it. Fishing licence money is invested into England's fisheries and rivers; improving the sport of angling.
"The minority of anglers that fail to buy a fishing licence are cheating their fellow anglers and the future of the sport. Fishing licence cheats risk a criminal conviction, a significant fine and could lose their fishing equipment."
Children under 12 are allowed to fish for free. Anyone aged 12 to 16 can also fish for free, but they need to have a valid Environment Agency fishing licence.
Anyone aged over 16 must pay for an Environment Agency fishing licence to fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel in England.
Anyone witnessing illegal fishing incidents can report it directly to the Environment Agency hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
Information on illegal fishing and environmental crime can also be reported anonymously to Crime stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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