Legal News

The Environment Agency has prosecuted two anglers from London, who were caught fishing without a rod licence.

Leonidas Kupcikovas, from Ilford in Essex and Slavkas Kupcikovas, from east London were fined for fishing without a rod licence and taking fish without permission, in contravention of national byelaws and Schedule 1 of the Theft Act.

The men were caught fishing at night at a trout fishery in Ware, Hertfordshire.

At St Albans Magistrates’ Court, they were each fined £330 with £127 costs and a £33 victim surcharge.

The cost of an Environment Agency annual licence is £27.

After sentencing, Environment Manager Debbie Jones said:

“We check licences across all fisheries in Hertfordshire and work in partnership with fishery owners – and the police to detect and deter fisheries crime.

“People who don’t buy a licence are cheating other anglers and the future of the sport.

“The Environment Agency relies on the income from rod licences to continue the important work we do to protect fish stocks, improve fisheries and encourage more people to take up fishing.

“If you are caught fishing without a rod licence, you risk a criminal conviction and a fine up to £2,500.

“There is no excuse – annual rod licences for trout and coarse fishing remain at £5 for 12- to 16-year-olds, £18 for senior and disabled concessions and £27 for non-concessions. Children under 12 can fish for free.”

Last year, Environment Agency officers checked more than 62,000 licences and prosecuted more than 1,900 anglers found without rod licences. Between them, they were ordered to pay fines and costs in excess of £600,000.

The agency is asking the public to help crack down on unlicensed fishing by reporting illegal activity by calling 0800 80 70 60 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Money raised from rod licence sales is reinvested in the environment –
including a whole range of projects to improve facilities for anglers, protect stocks from illegal fishing, plus fish restocking, invasive species eradication, and working with partners to encourage people to take-up fishing for the first time.

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors

Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors can advise at any stage of an environmental offence – including at the start of an investigation by the Environment Agency or local authority, or before charges are brought.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales and in most major cities.

Duncan Lewis can advise companies and individuals on charges including failing to comply with an enforcement notice, waste management offences, waste carrier offences, misuse of permitted land, fly tipping, contaminating a watercourse, noise pollution, air pollution, and fisheries offences.

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