Two anglers have landed more than they bargained for when being caught hook, line and sinker contravening Environment Agency fishing byelaws on the River Trent at Colwick.
They have now been ordered to pay a total of £403.
At Northampton magistrates on October 23, 2023, Vojtech Goral, 33, of Ena Avenue, and Dusan Tulej, 34, of Westwood Road, admitted leaving baited rod and line fishing equipment unattended in the water.
Goral was ordered to pay a total of £247 made up by £80 fine, £135 costs and £32 victim’s surcharge.
Tulej was ordered to pay a total of £156 made up by £40 fine, £100 costs and £16 victim’s surcharge.
Following the verdict, a spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “These cases show how seriously the courts take these offences and we hope the high penalties will act as a deterrent to any angler who is thinking of fishing in this way.
“By leaving a baited rod and line unattended in the water it is potentially harmful to fish and wildlife and other river users like swimmers.
“Our team works seven days a week to check on cases of illegal fishing across the East Midlands.
“For those caught contravening the byelaws, we will always prosecute.”
Fishing illegally can incur a fine of up to £2,500 and offenders can also have their fishing equipment seized.
Any angler aged 13 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence. A one-day licence costs from just £6.60 and an annual licence costs from just £33 (concessions available). Junior licences are free for 13 – 16-year-olds.
Licences are available from www.gov.uk/get-a-fishing-licence or by calling the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays).
Anyone with information about illegal fishing activities can contact the Environment Agency Incident Hotline 24/7 on 0800 80 70 60 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
