Environment Agency Fisheries Enforcement Officers will be blitzing Essex waterways between 24 and 27 August to make sure those enjoying the sport are licensed.

There is a wide variety of excellent waters available for keen anglers from trout reservoirs and gravel pits to commercial fisheries and smaller ponds. During a similar blitz in July, 499 licenses were checked across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and West Norfolk and 20 anglers found unable to produce a licence.

They were issued with offence tickets and will almost certainly end up in court. Now the same approach is being used again across Essex.

Lesley Robertson, Environmental Crime Team Leader said: “Environment Agency fisheries enforcement officers will be patrolling waters in Essex and anyone found fishing illegally may face prosecution and a hefty fine. “All anglers need a valid Environment Agency rod licence which allows them to use up to two rods. Rod licences run from 1 April to 31 March and fishing without one can lead to a substantial fine.” Lesley added: “All the money the Environment Agency receives from rod licence sales is spent improving fisheries. People who don’t buy a licence are cheating their sport and other anglers so we urge you to help us crackdown on unlicensed anglers by reporting this illegal activity to us on 0800 80 70 60. “You can also pass information onto Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use a secure online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.”

An annual rod licence for the 2012/13 season remains at 2011 prices, costing £27 for non-migratory trout and char and freshwater fish and eels or £72 for salmon and migratory trout. Concessionary licences, which cost £5, are available to juvenile anglers (aged 12-17). Anglers under 12 do not require a licence. Anglers over 65 and anyone with a Blue Badge parking concession or in receipt of Disability Living Allowance also pays the concessionary adult rate of £18 (non-migratory trout and char and freshwater fish and eels) and £48 (salmon and migratory trout).

One to eight-day licences for occasional anglers are also available for £3.75 and £10 (non-migratory trout and char and freshwater fish and eels) or £8 and £23 (salmon and migratory trout). Licences may be bought from post offices, via the Environment Agency website (www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish) or by dialling 0844 800 5386. Alternatively, they can be obtained from any Post Office or via the internet at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence Anyone caught without a valid rod licence can expect to be prosecuted and face a fine of up to £2,500.