£50.000 fine. Streuth !

markg · #1 (**permalink**) 16-07-2012, 06:25

A few weeks ago I mentioned signs going up from the EA warning about fishing in the close season.I couldn't remember the fine-double checked yesterday-it was £50.000 maximum penalty.

I was dumbfounded by this. Thats enough to ruin a working man and his family for life or many years at least. Whats wrong with this hobby? Or is £50.000 justifiable?

agamemnon · #2 (**permalink**) 16-07-2012, 08:40

just makes more of a mockery of our legal system. an uninsured driver faces a fine of around £300 and someone fishing out of season faces £50k yeah sounds great idea

Jeff Woodhouse · #3 (**permalink**) 16-07-2012, 10:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by markg

Or is £50.000 justifiable?

Never is that much though, Mark. Look at the fines for not having a rod licence, should £2,500 or so, but most are less than a pathetic £100. You have to address the Courts with this problem, not the EA.

markg · #4 (**permalink**) 16-07-2012, 10:32

It is a punishment to hurt , not ruin someones life. The fine should be fair and reasonable to fit the crime.

I have never fished in the close season by the way, and would never do so. I understand a £50.000 fine would be unlikely to be enforced but, it does allow such a thing and gives someone the right to enforce it.

Why, this bothers me is it is indicative of the oppressiveness that is overwhelming what should be a pleasurable pastime for most and is indicative of the oppressive nature of the sport in general.. Something I have found to be getting ever more present over the last 10-50 years and it does not do any good at all.-In my Opinion.

My maximum appropriate punishment for fishing in the close season would not come near £50.000 but it would still be a severe punishment and a deterrent. I was just surprised at the amount that was possible and seemed way over the top. It all just looks like another disproportionate attack on anglers to me.

Never mind, there's worse things in life I suppose.

Jeff Woodhouse · #5 (**permalink**) 16-07-2012, 10:46

I understand what you're saying Mark, there seems to a lack of balance in all these things. What's the maximum fine for being drunk whilst driving (I know about the 3 year ban in cases)?

However, whether it was a £50 or £50,000 fine, and disagreeing with the close season as I do, I would not transgress the law.

Similarly, what's a parking fine these days, £60 or £100 or £140? I have NEVER had one nor any other fine for a driving offence. This is not because of the fine itself (that I could pay without thinking of it, probably), but that by committing such an offence I am also denying someone access or restricting traffic to land which others may have a right to or just behaving like a moron. I want people to respect what is mine so if I can't respect others' properties, what worth am I?

Well, that's my attitude for what it's worth.

Sean Meeghan · #6 (**permalink**) 16-07-2012, 11:12

Of course the maximum penalty would only apply if you were caught salmon fishing out of season without a licence and you were f one of the lower classes. I believe this is still a summary hanging offence in Scotland.

terry m · #7 (**permalink**) 16-07-2012, 11:15

I agree with Jeff. Remember also that the fine is not to punish anyone or ruin their life. It is to provide a deterrent in the first place.

It is also worth remembering that in the UK, fines are levied on the ability to pay unless there are some extraordinary circumstances.

James and co will not be looking down the thick end of a 50k fine I promise you!

S-Kippy · #8 (**permalink**) 16-07-2012, 19:37

Its only a deterrent if its enforced. If the chances of getting nicked in the first place are remote and the courts impose cursory fines then its not a deterrent. Dont submit your tax return and its an automatic £100 fine...so what ? That's not much more than a decent meal and if you owe £10K tax then however you do the maths its a pretty good deal.

If the chances of getting nicked in the close season or for fishing without a licence was high and the fine a minimum [say] £2500 then the maths are different. The more people you nick and the more revenue you raise through fines the more bailiffs you can afford and policing pays for itself. That's a deterrent.

And I dont see why clubs or commercials could not insist that any angler wishing to join/fish must produce a valid licence or no ticket. Howls of protest no doubt but TBH how hard could that be to administer ? Blimey...some places will happily chuck you off for whistling or enjoying yourself so I dont see them having a problem checking a licence. Its only one more line on the "Fishery Rules" list and if you can ban fixed leads or boilies then why not non licence holders ?

I'm not suggesting waters should sell licences...just not sell day tickets to people who can't produce one. You wouldn't expect to get into the Cup Final without a ticket would you ? And if you had one & turned up to find some bloke who didn't sat in your seat you'd be having a word with the stadium owners double sharp. What's the difference ?