During October the Environment Agency successfully prosecuted 344 people for rod fishing licence offences. Fines for the month totalled £ 19,524, with costs of £ 20,025 awarded to the Environment Agency.
The highest number of successful prosecutions occurred in the Thames region, which saw over 80 prosecutions concluded in the four-week period. Three of the highest fines in October were £ 150 for defendants in Walthamstow, Basingstoke and central Hertfordshire. On average, each unlicensed fishing trip cost the angler £ 113.
Dafydd Evans, the Agency’s Head of Fisheries said “Rod licence fees are essential in improving and maintaining the standard of fisheries in England and Wales for all those who use them, and for this reason we have an appropriate programme of enforcement.
“Those who fish without a licence face tough penalties including fines of up to £ 2,500 and a ban from fishing. It seems amazing that some anglers still choose to play unfairly and cheat honest anglers out of valuable resource for fisheries across England and Wales.”
Buying a licence couldn’t be easier – there are around 15,000 Post Offices and other outlets which sell them 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
