The EA report that this is the first time Fisheries Enforcement Officers and police have joined forces to work in this way across the county and Environment Agency Officers will be doing joint patrols with Rural Crime Police Officers in ‘hotspots’ of illegal activity that have been identified through intelligence gathering.
Officers will not just be checking rod licences but also looking for illegal nets and traps and visiting areas where we have had reports of people catching and eating fish. The police will be looking for evidence of rural crime, anti-social behaviour and public order offences.
During an Environment Agency rod licence check blitz in June (Operation Garda), 510 licenses were checked across Lincolnshire and 21 anglers found unable to produce a licence.
Lesley Robertson, Environmental Crime Team Leader said:
“Environment Agency fisheries enforcement officers and Lincolnshire Police will be patrolling waters in south Lincolnshire and anyone found fishing illegally may face prosecution and a hefty fine.
All anglers need a valid Environment Agency rod licence which allows them to use up to two rods. Rod licences run from 1 April to 31 March and fishing without one can lead to a substantial fine.”
Lesley added:
“All the money the Environment Agency receives from rod licence sales is spent improving fisheries. People who don’t buy a licence are cheating their sport and other anglers so we urge you to help us crackdown on unlicensed anglers by reporting this illegal activity to us on 0800 80 70 60. You can also pass information onto Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use a secure online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.”
