 Eckington Bridge over the River Avon near Pershore | Two men from West Bromwich have been fined more than £450 each for fishing at a beauty spot overnight. Krzsztof Budzynski and Rafal Szalczewski admitted removing fish and eel - including protected species - from the |
River Avon in Pershore, Worcestershire, on July 23, 2021, at 10.40pm.
They were found in possession of the fish by a bailiff who worked the Birmingham Angling Association (BAA). The men subsequently breached fishing rights set by the BAA, which owns and governs the location.
The rules state that any fish caught must be returned alive and fishing is only allowed until one hour after sunset. All of the fish were found to be dead.
The bailiff contacted West Mercia Police and a police officer attended the scene. The officer then seized the fish - which included Chub, Perch and Bream - along with the anglers' fishing equipment and then handed it to the bailiff.
Budzynski, 33, of Gladstone Street, and 43-year-old Szalczewski, of Glover Street, appeared at Redditch Magistrates on March 7 after their cases were brought to court by the Environment Agency. Both men pleaded guilty to the offences of the removal of fish and the removal of eel.
The anglers got the same penalty, including a fine of £100 for the first offence and £200 for the second offence. Costs of £135 were awarded to the Environment Agency and there was a victim surcharge of £34, amounting to £469 for each angler.
Following the verdict, Nichola Tomlinson, fisheries enforcement team leader for the Environment Agency, said: "This case demonstrates great partnership working as it involved West Mercia Police, the local angling club and the Angling Trust to enable us to bring about a successful prosecution. Whilst on this occasion both men had a valid fishing licence, it is also imperative for anglers to observe fishing byelaws.
"It also shows how seriously the courts take these offences and we hope the penalty will act as a deterrent to any angler who is thinking of breaking fishing byelaws. Not complying with the byelaws can incur a fine of up to £50,000 and, as in this case, offenders can also have their fishing equipment seized."
They were found in possession of the fish by a bailiff who worked the Birmingham Angling Association (BAA). The men subsequently breached fishing rights set by the BAA, which owns and governs the location.
The rules state that any fish caught must be returned alive and fishing is only allowed until one hour after sunset. All of the fish were found to be dead.
The bailiff contacted West Mercia Police and a police officer attended the scene. The officer then seized the fish - which included Chub, Perch and Bream - along with the anglers' fishing equipment and then handed it to the bailiff.
Budzynski, 33, of Gladstone Street, and 43-year-old Szalczewski, of Glover Street, appeared at Redditch Magistrates on March 7 after their cases were brought to court by the Environment Agency. Both men pleaded guilty to the offences of the removal of fish and the removal of eel.
The anglers got the same penalty, including a fine of £100 for the first offence and £200 for the second offence. Costs of £135 were awarded to the Environment Agency and there was a victim surcharge of £34, amounting to £469 for each angler.
Following the verdict, Nichola Tomlinson, fisheries enforcement team leader for the Environment Agency, said: "This case demonstrates great partnership working as it involved West Mercia Police, the local angling club and the Angling Trust to enable us to bring about a successful prosecution. Whilst on this occasion both men had a valid fishing licence, it is also imperative for anglers to observe fishing byelaws.
"It also shows how seriously the courts take these offences and we hope the penalty will act as a deterrent to any angler who is thinking of breaking fishing byelaws. Not complying with the byelaws can incur a fine of up to £50,000 and, as in this case, offenders can also have their fishing equipment seized."
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