Two anglers caught fishing illegally have each been fined 550GBP and ordered to pay 127GBP costs by Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court last week (28 Jan).
Timothy Jones of Broad Street, Newport Pagnell was caught fishing without a rod licence at Loughton Lode Lake on 18 July last year.
On the same day, Robert Okapa of Streatham Road, Bradwell Common, Milton Keynes was also caught fishing without a rod licence at Wolverton Mill Lake.
Environment Officer, Mick Robinson, said: “Our fisheries bailiffs are visiting fisheries all year round and these cases prove that it can be a costly error for any angler found not to have bought a licence.
“These people are also cheating fellow anglers as licence sales generate more than £25 million in revenue each year, which the Environment Agency ploughs directly back into the sport. The rod licence fee helps pay for habitat improvement works, fisheries research, monitoring and advice to owners on fish stocks."
Buying a new rod 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 bought over the telephone on 0844 800 5386. Alternatively they can be bought online at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence day or night.
The cost of a licence for the 2011/12 season is being kept the same which is great news for coarse fish anglers who will only have to pay £27 to keep fishing after 1st April.
