North East Rod Licence Blitz Nets Few Offenders

North East rod licence blitz nets few offenders

Environment Agency bailiffs netted only a few offenders when they held their annual rod licence blitz over Easter.

The team patrolled rivers and streams across the North East over the four-day Easter break and checked 1,346 licences. A total of 59 offenders were caught during the blitz which included 39 who admitted to having no rod licence, and 20 who claimed they had left their licence at home.

The Easter break was the first weekend of the new season when anglers had to renew their licences for the year.

Environment Agency’s fisheries enforcement team leader, Kevin Summerson said: “The results of our blitz is a reflection on the honesty of anglers in the North East. They are buying their licences early on in the season which means their money can be ploughed back into improving the region’s fisheries sooner.

“People who choose to fish without a licence are only cheating the rest of the angling community.”

Money from rod licences is also used to fund improvements to river habitats, surveys which can highlight a need for improvement work, and events to encourage more people to take up the sport.

Buying a licence couldn’t be easier – they are available by phone, through the Environment Agency’s website or from the Post Office.

The standard adult licence for the season costs £ 24.50 for non-migratory trout and coarse fish, and £ 66.50 for a salmon and trout licence.

The maximum fine in a magistrate’s court for fishing without a licence is £ 2,500.