Routine checks by the Environment Agency caught a Cornish angler fishing without a rod licence, costing him £249.
Harry Fernihough, 23, from Tresco Place, Falmouth, pleaded guilty to fishing without a rod licence at Wheal Grey in Marazion. He was fined £130 and ordered to pay £67 costs plus a £52 victim surcharge at Swindon Magistrates Court on 17 December 2024.
Benjamin Pessl, Environment Agency fisheries enforcement officer, said:
Anyone who thinks 'I don't need to buy a rod licence, no one's going to check' is in the wrong. We do check, regularly, and we prosecute, always.
Buying a rod licence is not expensive. There's no excuse for not having one.
Any angler aged 13 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence. A 1-day licence costs from just £7.10 and an annual licence costs from just £35.80 (concessions available). Junior licences are free for 13 - 16-year-olds. Licences are available from www.gov.uk/get-a-fishing-licence or by calling the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.
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 hot-spots 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.
