I
Ian Cloke
Guest
The Environment Agency is reminding anglers to buy a rod licence before heading out to try their luck with fishing from April 1 as all licences expire at the end of March.
The reminder comes after more than ?600,000 was paid in fines and costs by more than 4,400 illegal anglers during 2006 for fishing without a valid rod licence. In addition 40 anglers received cautions from the courts.
For 2007/2008 a full season coarse and trout fishing licence costs just ?24.50 and a salmon and sea trout licence costs ?65.50. There is also a range of concessionary, junior, eight-day and one day licences. The almost three million people who receive Disability Living Allowance in England and Wales are eligible for a half price fishing licence from April 1, 2007.
"All previous licences expire on March 31; so it is very important all anglers ensure they have a valid licence before heading out to fish," explained Environment Agency Head of Fisheries Dafydd Evans.
"Fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish and eels in England and Wales and the Border Esk in Scotland requires a licence from the Environment Agency. Failure to have a licence is an offence. Those caught fishing illegally face tough penalties, including fines of up to ?2,500 and a ban from fishing.
"The rod licence fees are essential in improving and maintaining our rivers, which is why our enforcement officers are out there checking for those who try to cheat the system. Last year, we invested approximately ?29 million in fishing, with ?19 million of this coming from rod licence fees paid by anglers."
continues........
The reminder comes after more than ?600,000 was paid in fines and costs by more than 4,400 illegal anglers during 2006 for fishing without a valid rod licence. In addition 40 anglers received cautions from the courts.
For 2007/2008 a full season coarse and trout fishing licence costs just ?24.50 and a salmon and sea trout licence costs ?65.50. There is also a range of concessionary, junior, eight-day and one day licences. The almost three million people who receive Disability Living Allowance in England and Wales are eligible for a half price fishing licence from April 1, 2007.
"All previous licences expire on March 31; so it is very important all anglers ensure they have a valid licence before heading out to fish," explained Environment Agency Head of Fisheries Dafydd Evans.
"Fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish and eels in England and Wales and the Border Esk in Scotland requires a licence from the Environment Agency. Failure to have a licence is an offence. Those caught fishing illegally face tough penalties, including fines of up to ?2,500 and a ban from fishing.
"The rod licence fees are essential in improving and maintaining our rivers, which is why our enforcement officers are out there checking for those who try to cheat the system. Last year, we invested approximately ?29 million in fishing, with ?19 million of this coming from rod licence fees paid by anglers."
continues........