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571GBP fine for fishing with rod licence during closed season (11 November 2016)

Date: 11/11/2016
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, 571GBP fine for fishing with rod licence during closed season

The Environment Agency has prosecuted a man for fishing without a rod licence during closed season.

On 7 May 2016, Evironment Officers found Martyn Exall of Kilvert Road, Wednesbury in the West Midlands fishing at Stanchards Pit on the River Avon, Tewkesbury.

A valid rod licence is required to fish all waters in England but he was not able to produce a valid rod licence and was reported for that offence, along with a secondary offence of fishing during the closed season.

Close season seeks to protect fish during their breeding season, helping to increase fish stocks and secure angling for the future.

On 31 October 2016 at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court, Exall was fined £571 for fishing without a rod licence during the closed season.

After the hearing, Stuart Gamble of the Environment Agency said:

“The majority of anglers fish legally and purchase a rod licence – we invest the money from rod licences back into fisheries improvements, fish stocks and fishing, this is essential for the future of the sport.

“The minority of anglers that fail to buy a rod licence are cheating their fellow anglers and the future of the sport.

“In addition, rod licence cheats risk a criminal conviction, a significant fine and could lose their fishing equipment.”

During 2015-2016, the Environment Agency checked more than 62,000 rod licences and prosecuted more than 1,900 anglers for rod and line offences –
resulting in fines and costs in excess of £500,000.

Anyone witnessing illegal fishing incidents in progress can report it directly to the Environment Agency hotline on 0800 80 70 60.

Information on illegal fishing and environmental crime can also be reported anonymously to Crime stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Anyone aged over 12 needs a valid Environment Agency rod licence for fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel in England.


Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors

Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors can advise at any stage of a charge involving environmental offences, including fly-tipping, failing to manage hazardous waste, waste carrier offences, misuse of permitted land, fisheries offences, or water, air or land pollution.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide – and more than 20 offices across London and the southeast – and a Duncan Lewis criminal lawyer can advise both companies and individuals at the start of an investigation and before environmental charges are brought, as well as attending court.

For expert legal advice on charges relating to environmental offences, call Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

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