More than 8,200 anglers were checked for a valid rod licence by Environment Agency officers over the May Bank Holiday, with the evasion rate continuing to fall for the fourth year in a row.
Dafydd Evans, Head of Fisheries at the Environment Agency, said: “Our enforcement teams were out patrolling the waters making sure anglers were licenced to fish.
“We checked 8,231 anglers at 948 waters across England and Wales between 24-26 May, and caught 387 illegal anglers. With the use of mobile technology our teams were better equipped than ever with access to rod licence databases to verify licences.
“It great to see the message is sinking in with evading anglers, as the rate of evasion has dropped from just under 6% in the May 2007 blitz to less than 5% 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 31 March.”
Reports from various regions include:
- New, fully licenced anglers were spotted on river banks in the North West who told officers they had recently started to fish after watching fishing programmes on television.
- Four illegal crayfish traps and one drop net were seized after being used at Sandford Lock on the River Thames.
- An arrest was made on the Bank Holiday Monday at Cwmbran Boating Lake after an unlicenced offender became abusive when his rods were going to be seized. Cwmbran Police have released him pending a court appearance.
Dafydd Evans continued: “Our enforcement officers target rivers, lakes and other waters where we believe cheats are present. These offenders are not only acting illegally, but also cheating licenced anglers as the money raised through rod licence sales is invested directly in fisheries work to benefit all anglers.”
Last year, the Environment Agency invested around £30 million in improving fish stocks and angling opportunities, with some £20 million of this coming from rod licence fees.
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. Those caught fishing illegally face tough penalties, including fines of up to £2,500 and a ban from fishing.
For 2008/2009 a full season coarse and trout fishing licence costs just £25.00 and a salmon and sea trout licence costs £68.00. There is also a range of concessionary, junior, eight-day and one day licences.
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 on 0870 1662662 or online at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence any time, day or night.
