Telford angler who didn't buy £30 licence is ordered to pay £590
A Telford angler has been ordered to pay more than £590 . . . for failing to buy a £30 licence.
Ronald Nelson, 41, of Armstrong Close, was found guilty at Leicester Magistrates Court for using an unlicensed fishing rod and line at Boldings Pool, near Bridgnorth, on May 7.
Nelson, who failed to attend his court hearing, was fined £440 and ordered to pay costs of £127.47, plus a £30 victim surcharge.
A spokesperson from the Environment Agency said: "An annual fishing licence costs just £30, yet a small number of anglers continue to flout the law and risk prosecution for fishing without a licence.
"Its important anglers have a licence before fishing, the money from licences is invested into England’s fisheries and rivers, improving the sport of angling."
Work funded by licences includes protecting stocks from illegal fishing, pollution and disease, restoring fish stocks through re-stocking, eradicating invasive species and fish habitat improvements.
Fishing licence money is also used to fund the Angling Trust to provide information about fishing, to encourage participation in the sport and to manage a voluntary bailiff scheme.
Environment Agency officers regularly check licences throughout the year.
A licence costs £30 and lasts for 12 months from the day it is purchased, and becomes valid around 30 minutes after buying online.
Children up to the age of 16 can fish for free, but do need to have a valid fishing licence.
However, anyone over 16 must pay for a licence to fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel in England and Wales.
Anyone witnessing illegal fishing can report it directly to the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60.
