Anglers take heed as rod licence evasion continues to fall

Rod licence evasion continued to fall for the third year in a row as less than 600 anglers were caught fishing without a rod licence by Environment Agency officers over the May Bank Holiday weekend. 

“Enforcement teams made checks on 10,183 anglers at 928 waters across England and Wales between May 26 – 28 and caught 595 illegal anglers who were cheating honest anglers,” explained Environment Agency Head of Fisheries Dafydd Evans. 

“Our officers directed maximum effort to rivers and lakes where we believed cheats would be present. People who fish without a licence are cheating the system and their fellow anglers. Rod licence fees are essential in improving and maintaining our fisheries. Last year we invested approximately £29 million in fishing, with £19 million of this coming from rod licence fees paid by anglers.”

Fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish and eels in England and Wales and the Border Esk in Scotland requires a licence from the Environment Agency. Failure to have a licence is an offence. Those caught fishing illegally face tough penalties, including fines of up to £2,500 and a ban from fishing.

However, the message is sinking in with evading anglers, as the rate of evasion has dropped from 7% in the May 2005 blitz to less than 6% this time round. A small number of anglers believed a licence was valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. This is not case. All rod licences expire on March 31.

For 2007/2008 a full season coarse and trout fishing licence costs just £24.50 and a salmon and sea trout licence costs £66.50. There is also a range of concessionary, junior, eight-day and one day licences. The almost three million people who receive Disability Living Allowance in England and Wales are eligible for a half price fishing licence from April 1, 2007.

Buying a new licence couldn’t be easier – around 15,000 Post Offices and other outlets sell them; a direct debit can be set up, and they can be purchased over the phone (0870 1662662) or on-line at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence any time, day or night.