AN angler from Redditch has been fined £853 for illegally fishing.
The case of David Webb of Langley Close, Matchborough, was heard by magistrates sitting at Northampton on December 21 when they dealt with a total of 11 anglers caught fishing illegally at pools in Bulkington, Worcester, Market Bosworth and Earlswood during July and August 2017.
The court issued combined fines of £7,113.
Overall, all anglers were given higher than average fines with Webb’s fine of £853 for fishing illegally at Weston Lawns in Bulkington, more than 28 times an annual £30 licence.
All 11 anglers were caught fishing without a rod licence by Environment Agency officers out on regular patrol. None of the accused appeared in court so all were found proved guilty in absence.
Andrew Eardley of the Environment Agency said: “We’re continuing to see anglers receive significant fines for fishing illegally.
“A licence costs just £30 and lasts 12 months from the day you buy it.
“Most anglers fish legally and are happy to have their licence checked, the minority that fail to buy a fishing licence are cheating their fellow anglers and the future of the sport. Fishing licence cheats risk a criminal conviction, a significant fine and could lose their fishing equipment.”
Money from fishing 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.
Anyone witnessing illegal fishing can report it directly to the Environment Agency hotline, 0800 807060. Information on illegal fishing and environmental crime can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
