A Nottingham angler was fined more than £400 after being found guilty of fishing illegally. Ryan Jordan, 32, of Angel Green, was caught fishing without a licence at Rycroft Fisheries near Castle Donington on August 13, 2022.
Jordan was ordered to pay a total of £443 in a case brought before magistrates in Northampton on January 17. In absence, he was fined £220, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £135 and costs of £88.
All anglers need a valid Environment Agency rod licence. The money raised through the sales of rod licences is re-invested back into the sport and illegal fishing undermines the Environment Agency’s efforts to make fishing sustainable.
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A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “This case shows how seriously the courts take these offences and we hope the penalty will act as a deterrent to any angler who is thinking of breaking fishing byelaws. 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 hotspots 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.”
Any angler aged 13 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water, needs a licence to do so legally Anyone found fishing illegally may face prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500.
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