The EA report that:
Figures collected from the Environment Agency’s dedicated enforcement officers in the North East region between April 2011 and March 2012 showed that 681 of the 9,922 anglers checked (6.86%) were illegally casting their lines in lakes and rivers across the region.
Kevin Summerson, Environment Agency enforcement team leader, said:
“Every penny of rod licence money is reinvested in angling, including a whole range of projects bringing improved facilities for anglers, plus fish restocking, invasive species eradication, and projects that help people take-up fishing for the first time.
Our enforcement officers regularly patrol all our waters, and we will be identifying problem areas to bring the evasion rate down.”
Licence costs have been kept the same for the third year running – £27 for coarse fish and trout, £72 for salmon and sea trout. Concessions and short term licences are available.
Anglers need a valid Environment Agency Rod Licence if they are aged 12 or over and fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel in England (except the River Tweed), Wales, and the Border Esk and its tributaries in Scotland.
