Angler caught fishing without licence forced to pay out £249

A SOMERSET man who “blatantly disregarded signs” to fish illegally in the county must pay £249 in fines and costs.

Alan Reid, 47, was caught at Coking Farm fishery near Henstridge.

The Yeovil man, of Westfield Road, pleaded guilty to three offences at Swindon Magistrates’ Court.

He admitted fishing without a licence, leaving fishing rods unattended and failing to provide correct name and address when required.

The Environment Agency said fisheries officers discovered Reid fishing illegally on December 1, 2021. He failed to produce a rod licence when asked and refused to provide his name and address.

He was also found not be in control of his rod and line, as they had been left unattended with bait and hook in the water.

He was fined a total of £120 and ordered to pay costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £34.

James Allan, Environment Agency Fisheries Enforcement Officer, said: “Money raised from fishing licence sales is used to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries, benefiting anglers and, for those caught cheating the system, we will always prosecute. We are able to check offenders’ details, so giving false information is not an easy route out of failing to comply. This angler blatantly disregarded signs at the fishery that said an Environment Agency rod licence was needed to fish.

“Rod fishing byelaws are there to protect fish stocks and their habitats. If you do not comply with these byelaws you could face prosecution and be fined up to £50,000.”

Any angler aged 13 or over fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence.

AN illegal barbecue on a military training area on Salisbury Plain started a grass fire.

It began on Saturday and spread fairly rapidly due to wind conditions.

A member of the range team managed to control it before it reached a nearby road. Firefighters then dowsed the embers.

A Salisbury Plain Training Area spokesperson said: “The people responsible had contravened most of the bylaws.

“With the spell of dry weather we are having, please be considerate to the environment.”