The Environment Agency has prosecuted eight anglers for illegal fishing in Staffordshire, after they were found fishing without a rod licence by Environment Agency officers on regular patrols.
The eight anglers - Matthew Bamford, Stoke on Trent; Ricky Fisher, Walsall; Mark Francis, Liverpool; Robbie Johnson, laurencekirk, Carl Johnson, Rugeley; Anthony Leese, Stoke on Trent; Blain PIckering, Stoke on Trent and Richie Wilkes, Stoke on Trent - were all found guilty under Section 27(1)~(a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
Magistrates heard that on three separate days in June and July 2016, Environment Agency enforcement officers found the anglers fishing without a rod licence at pools in Stoke on Trent, Rugeley, Eccleshall and Penkridge.
The cost of an annual rod licence is £27.
On 20 February 2017 at North Staffordshire Justice Centre Magistrates’ Court, the eight anglers were handed a total of £5,680 in fines for being unable to produce a rod licence when asked to do so by Environment Agency officers.
Andrew Eardley from the Environment Agency said:
“The majority of anglers fish legally and purchase a rod licence – with an annual licence costing £27, it seems ridiculous that anglers risk a significant fine like these we’ve seen here."
"The minority of anglers that fail to buy a rod licence are cheating their fellow anglers and the future of the sport. Rod licence cheats risk a criminal conviction, a significant fine and could lose their fishing equipment.”
Money from rod licence sales is invested in England’s fisheries and is used to fund a wide range of projects to improve facilities for anglers including protecting stocks from illegal fishing, pollution and disease; restoring fish stocks through re-stocking; eradicating invasive species; and fish habitat improvements.
Rod licence money is also used to fund the Angling Trust to provide information about fishing and to encourage participation in the sport.
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.
Duncan Lewis Crime Solicitors – Environmental Offences
Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors can advise companies and individuals at any stage of an environmental offence, including charges relating to polluting watercourses, fisheries offences, fly tipping, waste carrier offences, failing to manage hazardous waste, air pollution, noise pollution, or misuse of permitted land.
There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales and in most major cities – and a Duncan Lewis criminal defence solicitor can advise at the start of an investigation by the Environment Agency or local authority and before charges are brought.
For expert legal advice on all environmental offences, call Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on 0333 772 0409.