Anglers fined over £3,000 after fishing illegally in Norfolk
Eight anglers have been fined £3,094 after being caught fishing illegally in Norfolk.
An Environment Agency Fisheries Officer conducting patrols by the river
Six cases were heard at Hastings Magistrates Court on 12 January and two on 16 February 2024
Gary Auger, 52, of Parr Road, Haverhill was caught fishing without a licence on 10 June 2023 at Taswood Lakes, Flordon, Norfolk.
Stuart Lawn, 36, of Bluebell Road, North Walsham was caught fishing without a licence on 30 July 2023 at Roughton Fishery, Roughton, Norfolk.
Aurimas Tazius,38, of Kipling Avenue, Tilbury removed bream contrary to the byelaw on 22 August 2023 at Postwick Reach on the River Yare, Norfolk.
David Denison, 46, of The Walks, Loddon was caught fishing without a licence on 31 August 2023 at Postwick Reach on the River Yare, Norfolk.
Lewis Buxton, 21, and Adrian Crowe, 41, both of Beccles Road, Gorleston were caught fishing without a licence on 17 September 2023 at Aldeby Hall Lakes, Aldeby, Norfolk.
Matthew Grant, 55, of Bramble Break, Eccles-on-Sea was caught fishing without a licence on 24 September 2023 at Cobbleacre Lakes, Hevingham, Norfolk.
Damien Howard, 42, of Smeeth Road, Marshland St James was caught fishing without a licence on 29 October 2023 at Billingford Lakes, Swanton Morley, Norfolk.
All cases were heard at Hastings Magistrates Court. The fines imposed ranged from £191 to £443, including a victim surcharge ranging from £16 to £88. All eight were ordered to pay £135 in costs each and the total imposed was £3,094.
Lesley Robertson, Enforcement Team Leader at the Environment Agency said, “These cases show we take illegal fishing seriously and won’t hesitate to pursue offenders through the courts where anglers break the rules. Anyone found fishing illegally may face prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500.
“All anglers need a valid Environment Agency fishing licence. The current price of an adult 12-month trout and coarse 3-rod fishing licence is £53.70 and not having one proved very costly for these eight men.”
“Our Fisheries Enforcement Officers carry out intelligence-led enforcement work all year round. We urge anyone with information about illegal fishing to contact us on 0800 807060 or via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Licences now run 365 days from the day of purchase offering 12 full months of fishing. Any angler aged 13 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence. A 1-day licence costs from just £7.10 and an annual licence costs from just £35.80. Concessions are available. Junior licences are free for 13- to 16-year-olds.
For more information or to buy a fishing licence visit the GOV.UK website or call the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386.
The Environment Agency carries out enforcement work all year round and is supported by police forces 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 should report it to our incident hotline number 0800 807060. You can also report it to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Notes to editors
*£53.70 is the cost of a 12-month trout and coarse 3-rod fishing licence.
Charges:
Auger entered no plea and was found guilty in his absence of breaching Section 27(1)(a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
Lawn entered no plea and was found guilty in his absence of breaching Section 27(1)(a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
Tazius pleaded guilty to breaching National Byelaw 3(i) of the Environment Agency Byelaws confirmed 01 June 2010 made pursuant to sections 210 and 211 schedule 25 of the Water Resource Act 1991.
Denison pleaded guilty to breaching Section 27(1)(a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
Buxton entered no plea and was found guilty in his absence of breaching Section 27(1)(a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
Crowe entered no plea and was found guilty in his absence of breaching Section 27(1)(a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
Grant entered no plea and was found guilty in his absence of breaching Section 27(1)(a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
Howard entered no plea and was found guilty in his absence of breaching Section 27(1)(a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.