Michelle Dolphin - 16-Aug-2007
- The Environment Agency is erecting signs
in popular fishing areas throughout the
Midlands, reminding anglers that they must
have a valid rod licence if they want to
take advantage of better weather and go
fishing in the summer holidays.
Fisheries Officer Andy Roberts said “It
is our busiest time of the year for anglers
and we are expecting large numbers of people
to go fishing. We hope they will enjoy themselves
but we would like to remind anglers that
they need a valid rod licence before they
go fishing.
“Those who are found without a licence
face prosecution and a fine of up to £2500
– not quite the holiday memories some may
want to remember. Our bailiffs will be checking
in all areas and it is really not worth
taking the chance of being caught. ”
At the request of some fisheries owners
the Environment Agency has provided the
warning signs to remind angers that they
must have a licence.
Getting hold of a licence has never been
easier - you can buy Full, Junior, 8-day
and 1-day licences from our website www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
You can also buy a rod licence from any
Post Office in England and Wales, or on
our telephone sales line: 0870 1662 662.
From March to October the telephone line
is open 8 am - 8pm every day, and sells
all licence types.
For those who are not sure where to go
fish, the Environment Agency produces a
Midland region fishing guide that gives
details of fisheries that can be fished
for a day ticket fee. The booklet also includes
local bylaws and contact details for angling
clubs and tackle shops. The guide costs
£2.99 and is available from our Customer
Contact Centre on 08708 506506.
Rod licences
Anyone aged 12 years or over who fishes
for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels
in England and Wales is required by law
to have an Environment Agency Rod Fishing
Licence. Rod licences differ from permits
(often referred to as tickets or day tickets)
which give permission to fish a particular
water or waters and are issued by fishery
owners.
The onus in law is for the angler to prove
he was licenced to fish at the time of the
incident. If he fails to do so, he is liable
to be convicted for the offence of fishing
with an unlicensed instrument.
A rod licence entitles you to fish with
up to two rods and line at the same time
for coarse fish and eels, but with only
one rod and line for trout, sea trout, char
and salmon. Always check club rules and
local byelaws regarding the rod limit on
the water you intend to fish. Additional
licences are required if you fish with more
rods, where byelaws and rules permit.
You can buy Full, Junior, 8-day and 1-day
licences from our website www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
You can also buy a rod licence from any
Post Office in England and Wales, or on
our telephone sales line: 0870 1662 662.
From March to October the telephone line
is open 8 am - 8pm every day, and sells
all licence types.
Money from the sale of licences helps to
fund our work managing fisheries. If you
are caught fishing without one, you are
cheating other anglers and could be fined
up to £2,500.
