21/02/2014 - Thieves have been caught taking fish and no rod licence

Brother anglers caught without a rod licence

The Environment Agency is urging anglers to check they have a valid rod licence, after two brothers were yesterday (19 February 2014) ordered to pay £534* at Warrington Magistrates court

Krzysztof Bialoboki and Ireneusz Bialoboki where both found guilty of fishing without a rod licence, after being prosecuted by the Environment Agency at Warrington Magistrates Court.

The prosecution came following a report from officials at the Warrington Anglers Association club on the 10th July 2013. On investigating the report, Environment Agency Fisheries Officers and Cheshire Police found the brothers taking fish from Appleton Resevoir, near Warrington. The men, not members of the Warrington Anglers Association club, were in possession of a carrier bag containing five perch that they had caught whilst fishing.

Ian Wood, Fisheries Officer for the Environment Agency said,

“People who dodge the licence fees cheat fellow anglers of vital investment into their sport. Money from rod licence sales is ploughed directly back into improving facilities and getting more people out fishing, protecting vulnerable fish stocks and habitat improvements. We’d ask that anyone suspecting an individual of fishing illegally to call the Environment Agency 24hr Incident Hotline on 0800 80 70 60”

The fishing season runs from 1 April to 31 March. Rod licences are available from 3 March for the new season and can be bought online at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish , over the phone on 03708 506 506 (lines are open 8 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday) or at your local post office.

Anyone aged over 12 who fishes for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels in England, Wales or the Border Esk in Scotland is required to have a rod licence by law. If you’re caught fishing without a licence your tackle could be seized and you could face a fine of up to £2,500.

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