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Eight caught and fined for fishy tactics

Eight men who were caught by Environment Agency officers after fishing without a licence have been ordered to pay over £1,000 in fines and £600 in costs.

On Friday, 6 February, West Hertfordshire Magistrates’ Court heard that the separate incidents all took place between 27 June 2008 and 21 September 2008 in Willows Lakes and Stanborough Lakes in Hertfordshire.

Andy Strevens, the Environment Agency’s regional fisheries specialist, said: “Those who try to outwit the system and avoid paying for a valid rod licence are cheating their fellow anglers. All the money raised from licence sales is put straight back into improving the environment for wildlife, anglers and the community in general.

“We are delighted the court has taken this action. Illegal anglers should realise that our officers are on the riverbank and if anyone is caught flouting the law they will be caught and punished.”

The Environment Agency's National Enforcement Service (NES) dedicated prosecution team takes action against anyone caught fishing without a licence.