EA press release here:

http://www.anglers-net.co.uk/news/articles/342.html

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The cure is simple, cut their tackle off!!

Even simpler would be to pay for your fishing as you go out of the ticket price.

Frankly I find the argument that the cost of fines being higher than the cost of licenses horrible.

Rather like saying that "if you find the license to expensive then don't go fishing, cos you certainly wont be able to pay the fines"

I have said it before and will go on saying it forever...clean rivers and waterways are not the responsibity of anglers, they are a right to be expected and enjoyed by all the population and so should be paid for by all the population out of the general tax fund.

Anglers only fish, most clubs and riparian owners pay for their own stock and maintenance and have a right to clean water.

Put a small levy on tackle/ticket sales and then the guy/girl who only fishes occasionly will not end up having to shell out for a license. Probably end up with many more people fishing and much more income to pay for the baillifs.

I wonder what percentage of the anglers who are prosecuted are regular anglers, does anyone have any figures for this?
Den

I totally agree Poldark.

Can't wait until the canoe license is introduced, correct that, I am 40 now and don't have enough years left to see it. :mad:

And what justification if I dig a hole in my back yard put some fish in at my expense.....and then I need to pay for a licence to use my whip in it. :mad: :mad:

I'm suprised anyone's ever caught.

I fish at least once a week on average, often on easily accessed park waters and canals but it's been over ten years since I was last asked to produce my rod licence by an EA bailiff. It dosen't stop me buying one though.

Has anyone here actually been asked for theirs recently?

Will

Quite a few of us who use canoes pay for BCU membership which includes a British Waterways licence.

Thanks that is very interesting I was not aware not aware of any legal requirement to be licensed, with threat fines etc for non compliance, in order for an individual to canoe. Do you know what percentage of the revenue finds its way to the EA ?

But the issue is I don't have anything against canoes (actually I love the white water stuff when it comes on the telly and we always have a polite exchange when they paddle past when I am in scotland fishing) but all users of the water need to make their contribution. So, being fair, as canoes are always the illustrative example, lets consider dingy sailing instead. Do they need a sailing license as well as their sailing club membership ?

Do you need a licence for a narrow boat on a canal ? I genuinely don't know the answer.

I could be mistaken but I guess if I go to Willen Lake in the summer there will be:

a)sailors
b)wind surfers
c)bird watchers
d)model boaters (not bait boats which are banned)
e)Anglers
Amongst others....

We all pay our tickets for usage.

But only the anglers have to be licensed by the EA (otherwords government.) with the threat of fines looming over them.

Malcolm,

As far as I know any type of watercraft using British Waterways controlled rivers and canals needs to be licenced. How strictly these laws are enforced on rivers and canals I don't know, but I think the penalties can be pretty steep.

On Windermere and the Broads (neither BW) they are very keen.

I have no idea what percentage (if any) goes to the EA.

Cheers

[ 18. April 2004, 07:47 PM: Message edited by: Croix ]

Mine was checked while fishing at Slough House Lake in Essex about this time last year, don't know if they actually caught anyone, but I noticed several cars leave the carpark shortly after the EA van arrived!

Mat

No recently in the last three years, but I used to get checked about twice a year fishing the MKAA waters. Once got checked in the lake district.