5-May-2006 - Nearly 700
anglers were caught fishing without a rod licence
by Environment Agency officers over the May Bank
Holiday weekend.
"Enforcement teams made
checks on more than 11,000 anglers at 943 waters
across England and Wales between April 29 and
May 1 and caught 671 illegal anglers who were
cheating honest anglers," explained Environment
Agency Head of Fisheries Dafydd Evans.
"Fishing without a licence
is an offence and those caught fishing illegally
face tough penalties, including fines of up to
£2,500 and a ban from fishing. The message
is sinking in with evading anglers, as the rate
of evasion dropped from 7% in the May 2005 blitz
to 6% this time round.
"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. Around £19m is raised through rod
licences and invested in fisheries work that benefits
all anglers, fish stocks and the waterside environment.
We will continue with our blitz programme to bring
rod licence evasion down."
Almost 80% of all waters visited
had no offences detected. However, a 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. The reminder
comes after almost £600,000 was paid in
fines and costs by more than 4,600 illegal anglers
in 2005. On average, these illegal fishing trips
cost anglers £128 each in fines and costs.
A full season coarse and trout licence costs just
£24.
"Our staff are better equipped
than ever. With access to databases at the switch
of a mobile phone enforcement officers can verify
address and licence details, including whether
they purchased a licence the previous year. All
this makes catching licence evaders an easier
process," continued Dafydd.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Rod licences are available from:
1. Every Post Office in England
and Wales (c 15,000)
2. By telephone (for Full and
Junior Concessionary licences only) on 0870 1662
662
3. On-line (for Full, Junior
Concessionary, 8-day and 1-day licences only)
at the Environment Agency website
4. Through Direct Debit (for
Full and Concessionary licences only) on the Environment
Agency website. There is also a Direct Debit helpline
on 01925 542 400.
Anglers are eligible for a concessionary
licence if:
1. Aged 12 to 16 inclusive (Junior)
2. Aged 65 years or over (Senior)
3. Have a blue badge
Blue badges are available to
those who:
1. Receive the higher rate of
the mobility component of the disability Living
Allowance
2. Receive War Pensioners’ Mobility
Supplement
3. Are registered blind
4. Have a motor vehicle supplied
for disabled people by a Government Health Department
5. Have a severe disability
in both upper limbs, regularly drive a motor vehicle
but cannot turn the steering wheel of a motor
vehicle by hand even if that wheel is fitted with
a turning knob
Have a permanent and substantial
disability, which means you are unable to walk,
or have very considerable difficulty in walking.