27 caught in bank holiday blitz on illegal fishing
A bank holiday blitz on illegal fishing saw Environment Agency enforcement officers net 27 men for offences on rivers and stillwaters across the North East.
Thecrackdownsawalmost 200 fishing licences checked andpeoplereportedforoffencesincludingfishingduringthe close season, unlicensed fishing and fishing using illegal baits.
TheFisheriesEnforcement Team worked with partners to targetspecificareaswhereillegal fishing has been reported.
This included an operation with Northumbria Police to target fishing offences and antisocial behaviour at an urban fishing lake in Washington, with one person reported for illegal fishing at Corgi Pond.
Patrols were also carried out in Tynedale, Gateshead, Durham and stillwaters in north Stockton.
The Environment Agency’s David Shears, Fisheries Enforcement Specialist in the North East, said: “It was great weatherovertheBankHoliday and it was good to see plenty of anglers out enjoying our region’s beautiful scenery.
“While the majority of the anglers we spoke to had the correct fishing licence and were abiding by the law, 27 of those checked were found to be in breach of rod licence and close season legislation and were reported for it.
“People who don’t buy a licence are not only cheating other anglers and the future of the sport, but they are running the risk of a criminal conviction and fine. There is no excuse."
It is currently the ‘close season’ for coarse fish, which remains in place until June 15 inclusive, and aims to protect fish while they spawn and give them the chance to recover.
Illegal fishing can be reportedonthe24-hourIncident Hotline on 0800 80 70 60.