Leicester angler prosecuted for fishing offences
The Environment Agency has prosecuted a Leicester angler who was caught fishing in the close season and without a licence on the River Soar in May this year.
- Angler caught fishing in close season on River Soar between Abbey Mills and Abbey Park
- Clamp down on angling offences to protect fish stocks and make fishing sustainable
- Case heard at Northampton magistrates on 21 October 2024
At Northampton Magistrates Court on 21 October 2024, the charges against Vaidotas Jucaitis, 52, of Highfield Street, were proved in his absence. He was ordered to pay a total of £415 in fines and costs.
Jucaitis was caught fishing during the close season between Abbey Mills and Abbey Park on 9 May 2024. He was also fishing without a licence. He was fined £100 for each charge, ordered to pay costs of £135 and a victim’s surcharge of £80.
Close season
The close season restrictions, which run between 15 March-15 June, are to prevent fishing for coarse fish in rivers and streams across England. The restriction helps to protect fish when they are spawning and supporting vulnerable stocks.
Environment Agency officers conduct patrols to ensure anglers respect this no fishing period.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:
We hope these penalties will act as a deterrent to any angler who is thinking of fishing either without a licence or during the close season.
The close season is in place to reduce disturbances to protect vulnerable stocks during their peak spawning period.
We urge anglers to respect the close season in order to help reduce pressures on our fisheries, benefitting fish and the wider environment.
Our fisheries enforcement team work seven days a week to check that anglers are following fishing regulations.
Fisheries enforcement
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 80 70 60 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Fishing licences
All income from fishing licence sales is used to fund the Environment Agency’s work to protect and improve fish stocks, fisheries and the environment.
This includes improving habitats for fish, reinvesting money back to facilities and clubs for anglers and tackling illegal fishing. It also includes working with partners to encourage more people to give fishing a go.
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.
Licences are available from www.gov.uk/get-a-fishing-licence or by calling the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.
The charges for Vaidotas Jacaitis
On 9 May 2024, at Abbey Park to Abbey Mills, River Soar, Leicester, fished for freshwater fish in the close season. This is contrary to byelaw 2 of the Environment Agency National Byelaws made on July 12 210. And contrary to byelaw 6 confirmed 22 March 2010 and made pursuant to section 210 and schedule 25 of the Water Resources Act 1991 and contrary to Section 211 of the said Act.
On 9 May 2024, at Abbey Park to Abbey Mills, River Soar, Leicester, in a place where fishing is regulated, fished for freshwater fish or eels by means of an unlicensed fishing instrument, namely rod and line. This is contrary to Section 27 (1) (a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.