Fifteen anglers have been served notices for fishing offences committed on the River Witham. It comes after a clampdown on illegal fishing in which 180 spot checks were carried out to ensure anglers were properly licensed and fishing within the rules.

Enforcement officers were split into 4 teams on Sunday 20 August, as part of a multi-agency operation led by the Environment Agency.

180 anglers checked

Anglers were caught allegedly committing a variety of offences including 2 for fish theft and one for using an illegal method.

Officers also seized an offensive weapon from an angler’s vehicle while another vehicle was reported for being without tax and insurance.

Multi-agency operation

The Environment Agency’s enforcement team worked in conjunction with the Midlands Wildlife Crime Group including officers from Derbyshire, Humberside, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire police forces and the Angling Trust.

Lee Watts, Fisheries Enforcement Officer East Midlands for the Environment Agency, said:

We take illegal fishing very seriously. Anyone committing offences can expect to be prosecuted and face a substantial fine.

I am happy with the results, which show our partnership commitment to making our inland waterways free from illegal fishing activities.

I’d like to offer my thanks to all officers, police staff and Angling Trust personnel who took part and made it a successful operation. It’s through partnerships like this that we can take action and send clear message to those who break the law.

Not only does illegal fishing damage the sport it also poses a serious risk of spreading fish diseases and invasive species. The irresponsible and illegal actions of a few can have widespread consequences for fisheries.

Angling Trust Fisheries Enforcement Support Service National Enforcement Manager, Dilip Sarkar MBE, said:

This was a perfect example of partnership working in action – and what can be achieved by everyone working together. As always, we are most grateful to our volunteers for so public-spiritedly giving up their time to help protect fish and fisheries. We look forward to more of these operations.

Hefty penalties

Anyone fishing illegally can expect to be prosecuted and face a fine of up to £2,500, and up to £50,000 for byelaw offences.

Last year, the Environment Agency checked more than 62,000 fishing licences and prosecuted more than 1,900 anglers for rod and line offences, resulting in fines and costs in excess of £500,000.

Any angler aged 12 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence. A full fishing licence costs from just £30 (concessions and other types available) or is free for those aged 12 to 16. Licences are available via GOV.UK, by phoning 0344 800 5386, or from a local Post Office.

Money from fishing licence sales is invested in England’s fisheries and is used to fund improvements for anglers including protecting stocks from illegal fishing, pollution and disease; restoring fish stocks through re-stocking; eradicating invasive species; and fish habitat improvements. The income is also used to fund the Angling Trust to provide information about fishing and to encourage participation in the sport.