Environment Agency
- Angler caught at Chorley Springs without a valid fishing licence
- Case heard at Northampton Magistrates Court on 30 August 2023
- Angling prosecutions helps protect fish stocks and makes fishing sustainable
A court has imposed fines totalling 443 on an angler from Stafford for fishing without a licence at Chorley Springs, Burntwood, near Lichfield, Staffordshire on 23 April 2023.
At Northampton magistrates on 30 August 2023, the Environment Agency successfully prosecuted John Smith, 58, of Young Avenue, Stafford.
The case was proved in the absence of the defendant who was fined 220, ordered to pay costs of 135 and a victims surcharge of 88.
A spokesperson for Environment Agency said:
We hope the penalties received by this illegal angler will act as a deterrent to anyone who is thinking of breaking the laws and byelaws we have in place across England.
The case shows how seriously the courts take these type of offences and the angler has been rightly punished for the illegal fishing he undertook this year.
Fishing illegally can incur a fine of up to 2,500 and offenders can also have their fishing equipment seized. We inspect rod licences 24/7, seven days a week to check on cases of illegal fishing.
Illegal fishing undermines the Environment Agencys efforts to protect fish stocks and make fishing sustainable.
Money raised from fishing licence sales is used to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries for the benefit of anglers and, for those caught cheating the system, we will always prosecute.
The Environment Agency enforcement teams continue to make sure anglers comply with regulations to protect fish stock. In 2021 to 2022, fisheries enforcement officers checked just over 41,000 fishing licences and successfully prosecuted nearly 730 anglers for fishing without a licence.
You must purchase a fishing licence to fish in England and Wales. Annual licences start from 33 and can be purchased online or by phone, more information can be found here: Buy a rod fishing licence: When you need a licence - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
The Environment Agencys fisheries annual report 2021-22 reveals how nearly 22m in rod licence income achieved through almost 935,000 fishing licence sales has been spent during 2021 and 2022 to enhance and protect Englands fisheries.
Anyone with information about illegal fishing activities can contact the Environment Agency incident hotline 24/7 on 0800 807060 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The Charge
On April 23 2023, at Chorley Springs, Burntwood, in a place where fishing is regulated fished for freshwater fish or eels by means of unlicensed fishing instrument, namely rod and line.
Contrary to Section 27 (1) (a) of the Salmon and Fresh