13-Jun-2011

Over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend of 27-30 May, Environment Agency officers caught a number of rod licence evaders when checking rod licences in targeted fisheries in the Midlands region, which are known to have a higher-than-average evasion rate.

Officers in the Environment Agency's Midlands Environmental Crime Team took part in a national rod-licence blitz across the Midlands. They struck at known high rod licence evasion hot-spots where they checked 1,110 anglers and detected 82 offences. Anglers who were unable to provide a satisfactory name and address had their tackle seized. 

Environmental Crime Team leader Al Watson said: "Every licence evasion means less money to spend on protecting and improving the nation's fisheries. Anglers will spend a lot of money on fishing tackle, day tickets, bait and travel, so it is disappointing that they fail to buy a £27 rod licence. At 52p per week it is great value. 

“Anglers risk losing their equipment when they dodge buying a licence. They can easily buy one from a Post Office, on-line or by telephone – there is no excuse".