Seven anglers were fined a total of £ 470 at Hereford Magistrates’ Court on Monday for fishing without a licence, contrary to the Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries Act, 1975. In addition, each man was ordered to pay £ 55 towards the costs of the Environment Agency which brought the prosecutions. Five of the men had their rods and reels forfeited to the Agency.
Christopher Frederick Birch of Milgreen Avenue, Sneyd Green, Stoke-on-Trent; Kevin Clarke of Emlyn Avenue, Whitecross, Hereford; Ivor James of Cherry Brook Close, Hope-under-Dinmore, Leominster; Stuart Maddox of Brook Mead, Ross-on-Wye; Stephen Jason Smith of Violet Walk, Rogerstone and Trevor Douglas Stanley, of Emlyn Avenue, Whitecross, Hereford were all fined £ 70. Paul Burns of Ridgeway Crescent, Whitchurch, Ross-on-Wye was fined £ 50. The court forfeited the tackle of Burns, Clarke, James, Maddox and Stanley.
Speaking after the hearing, an Agency spokesperson said: “A licence is required to fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish and eels in all inland waters in England & Wales and it costs just £ 20 for a full annual licence. There are eight-day and daily licences also available at all post offices. The Agency will continue to target and prosecute those individuals who choose to ignore the requirements for a valid licence when fishing.”
