Bridgwater angler forced to pay nearly 拢500 for no rod licence
Angler found guilty of fishing without a rod licence in Yeovil.
Not having a rod licence has cost a Bridgwater man hundreds of pounds.聽聽
Kevin Tadd, 46, from West Street, was found guilty in his absence to fishing without a rod licence at Ash Ponds, in Yeovil. He was fined 拢220 and ordered to pay 拢135 costs and a 拢88 victim surcharge at Swindon Magistrates Court on 7 May 2024.聽
Callum Underhill, Environment Agency Fisheries Enforcement Officer, said:聽
鈥淭he majority of anglers happily pay for and carry their rod licence. It鈥檚 part of the sport. But there鈥檚 a handful who think they鈥檒l never be caught.聽聽
鈥淲e do catch them. And they always end up paying the same amount as several years鈥� worth of angling, leaving them worse off.鈥澛�
Any angler aged 13 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence. A 1-day licence costs from just 拢6 and an annual licence costs from just 拢30 (concessions available). Junior licences are free for 13 - 16-year-olds. Licences are available from鈥�痮r by calling the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.聽
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.聽
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.