Gloucester angler ordered to pay £751 for fishing offences
A Gloucester angler gave a false name and address when an Environment Agency fisheries patrol found he did not have a valid fishing licence.
- Angler gave false name and address to fisheries enforcement officers
- Illegal angling undermines efforts to protect fish stocks and make fishing sustainable
- Case heard at Northampton Magistrates Court on 15 January 2024
At Northampton magistrates on 15 January 2024, Chris Bantock, 44, of Naunton Road, was ordered to pay a total of £751 for failing to give his details and not having a valid fishing licence.
The court heard that Bantock was approached by fisheries enforcement officers from the Environment Agency at Matson Lake on July 1 2023.
His case was proved in his absence after he did not register a plea. He was fined £220 for each charge and ordered to pay £135 in costs and £176 victim’s surcharge.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:
“We hope this case will act as a deterrent to anyone who is thinking of breaking the laws and byelaws for angling in England.
“Our officers are doing an important job to ensure people are fishing legally and taking action against those that aren’t.
“The safety of our staff is paramount and they shouldn’t have to put up with any kind of obstructive or abusive behaviour.
“The case shows how seriously the courts take these offences and this angler has been rightly punished for the illegal fishing.
“Fishing illegally can incur a fine of up to £2,500 and offenders can also have their fishing equipment seized.
“We inspect rod licences 24/7, seven days a week to check on cases of illegal fishing.
“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
The Environment Agency enforcement teams continue to make sure anglers comply with regulations to protect fish stock.
You must purchase a fishing licence to fish in England and Wales. Annual licences start from £30 and can be purchased online or by phone.
Fishing licences can be bought through www.gov.uk/get-a-fishing-licence or by calling the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386.
During 2022/23, fisheries licence income also funded:
- 1,200 fish stock surveys
- 39,159 fishing licence checks were carried out by Environment Agency enforcement teams with the support of the Angling Trust Voluntary Bailiff Service (VBS). 1,949 offence reports were issued, and 265 anglers were prosecuted for fishing without a licence
- EA response to 407 incidents involving dead or dying fish, including reports of pollution and fish disease
- Improvements to fish habitats on 347km of rivers in England
- Supply and stocking of almost 455,439 coarse fish including barbel, roach, bream, tench and grayling
- Initiatives to provides facilities to anglers, encourage more people into the sport and make fishing more accessible for all
- More than 50 projects through the Angling Improvement Fund (AIF) managed by the Angling Trust to protect fisheries from predators, such as cormorants and otters
- Improvements to over 52 hectares of still water fisheries
The Charges
Chris Bantock
On July 1 2023, at Matson Lake, Gloucester, 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.
On July 1 2023, at Matson Lake, Gloucester, when fishing failed, when required to do so, to state his address to an officer of the Environment Agency.
The officer having power to make such a request Contrary to Section 35 (3) of and Schedule 4 to the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.