Environment Agency
- Fishing without a licence lands Evesham angler with a penalty of 339.
- Another Evesham angler ordered to pay a penalty of 247 for fishing without a licence.
- Fishing illegally cheats anglers who have bought the relevant licence
Two men from Evesham, Worcestershire, have been found guilty of fishing illegally in cases brought by the Environment Agency to Northampton Magistrates Court on Monday 23 October.
John Barnett, 51, of Orchard Place, pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence on 22 June 2023 at Manor Farm Fishery, Evesham.
He was ordered to pay a total penalty of 247, including a fine of 80, costs of 135 and a victim surcharge of 32. An annual fishing licence currently costs from 33.
Darius Dee, 21, of Ellison Close, also pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence on 22 June 2023 at Manor Farm Fishery, Evesham.
He was ordered to pay a total penalty of 339, including a fine of 146, costs of 135 and a victim surcharge of 58.
Following the verdict, Nichola Tomlinson, Fisheries Enforcement Team Leader for the Environment Agency, said:
This case shows how seriously the courts take these offences and both men have been rightly punished for fishing without a licence.
We hope the cases act as a reminder to anglers of the importance of having a rod licence before they go fishing and deter them from fishing illegally.
All of the money raised from rod licence sales is used to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries for the benefit of anglers. For those caught cheating the system, we will always prosecute.
Every year across the country, thousands of anglers are prosecuted for not having a fishing licence. As well as cheating other anglers, fishing illegally can carry a hefty penalty. Getting caught without a licence could land a fine of up to 2,500.
Income from rod licence sales is used to fund Environment Agency work to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries, including improving habitats for fish and facilities for anglers, tackling illegal fishing and working with partners to encourage people to give fishing a go.
Any angler aged 13 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence to fish. A 1-day licence costs from just 6.60, and an annual licence costs from 33 (concessions available). Junior licences are free for 13 - 16-year-olds. Licences are available fromwww.gov.uk/get-a-fishing-licenceor by calling the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.
The Environment Agency carries out enforcement work all year round and is supported by partners including the police and the Angling Trust. Fisheries enforcement work is intelligence-led, targeting known hot-spots and where illegal fishing is reported.
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.
Further information
John Barnett was charged with the following offence:
On the 22nd June 2023 at Manor Farm Fishery, Evesham, in a place where fishing is regulated, fished for freshwater fish or eels by means of an unlicensed fishing instrument, namely rod and line, contrary to Section 27(1)(a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
Darius Dee was charged with the following offence:
On the 22nd June 2023 at Manor Farm Fishery, Evesham, in a place where fishing is regulated, fished for freshwater fish or eels by means of an unlicensed fishing instrument, namely rod and line, contrary to Section 27(1)(a) of the Salmon and Fresh