Nine men caught by Environment Agency officers fishing without a licence were ordered to pay a total of £1,700 yesterday (May 2, 2007) at Aldershot Magistrates’ Court.
The court heard that the separate incidents all took place between 5 August 2006 and 22 November 2006 at fisheries in Aldershot and Yateley.
Environment Agency regional fisheries specialist Matt Carter said:
“Anyone over the age of 12 who fishes for freshwater fish in rivers and lakes needs to have a valid Environment Agency rod license. Licenses are relatively inexpensive and easily bought at post offices, over the telephone or from the Environment Agency’s website. All the money raised from licences is put straight back into improving the environment for wildlife and anglers.
“We are delighted the court has taken this action. Illegal anglers should realise that our officers are on the riverbank and if anyone is caught flouting the law they will be caught and punished.”
The Environment Agency’s Fisheries Administration Support Team (FAST) licenses anglers across England, Wales and the Border Esk, and it is their dedicated prosecution team that takes action against anyone caught fishing without a licence.
The following cases were heard:
1. Daniel Anderson-Ford, 31, of Elmtree, Teddington, Middlesex, was fined £110 and ordered to pay £70 costs for fishing without a rod licence on 5 August 2006.
2. Laurie Russell, 24, of Nine Elms Close, Uxbridge, Middlesex, was fined £75 and ordered to pay £70 costs for fishing without a licence on 20 August 2006.
3. Danny Salczynski, 19, of Frimley Road, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Hampshire, was fined £110 and ordered to pay £70 costs for fishing without a rod licence on 30 August 2006.
4. Martin Bell, 63, of Earls Road, Liphook, Hampshire, was fined £135 and ordered to pay £70 costs for fishing without a rod licence on 1 September 2006.
5. David Watling, 63, of Lamorna Grove, Stanmore, Middlesex, was fined £200 and ordered to pay £70 costs for fishing without a rod licence on 1 September 2006.
6. Christopher Felton, 25, Standon Homestead, Standon Lane, Ockley, was fined £80 and ordered to pay £70 costs for fishing without a rod licence on 19 October 2006.
7. Alan Johnson, 32, of Brinkley, Burritt, Kingston, Surrey, was fined £110 and ordered to pay £70 costs for fishing without a rod licence on 19 November 2006.
8. Colin Solly, 43, of Granville Avenue, Feltham, Middlesex, was fined £150 and ordered to pay £70 costs for fishing without a rod licence on 19 November 2006.
9. Malcolm Beck, 45, of Lammas Close, Staines, Middlesex, was fined £100 and ordered to pay £70 costs for fishing without a licence on 22 November 2006.
Buying a licence couldn’t be easier – there are around 15,000 Post Offices and other outlets which sell them direct, and for a small additional charge they can be purchased over the phone on 0870 1662662 or from our web site – www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish.
