ANGLERS are being taken to court in West Yorkshire – for fishing without a licence.
And in one extreme case, a man has been jailed.
Environment Agency officers are reminding anglers not to get caught fishing without a licence as more than 100 have been prosecuted in Yorkshire since April.
Some anglers have been fined almost £500 for not holding a valid rod licence when questioned by bailiffs.
One offender failed to pay compensation and was subsequently arrested and brought back to court. He is now serving time in prison, all for failing to pay £27 for a rod licence.
Peter Mischenko, fisheries technical officer for the Environment Agency, said: “Judging by the results of our recent prosecutions in court, magistrates take fisheries offences very seriously.
“The revenue raised from rod licence sales is used to benefit and protect our fisheries and we will take action against anyone who is fishing illegally.
“We are continually working with angling clubs and fisheries owners to ensure that everybody who goes fishing does so legally and is aware of the rules and regulations that protect our fish.”
Those who fish without a licence can face prosecution and a maximum fine of £2,500.
