ILLEGAL anglers have been snared in a blitz in Yorkshire.
Environment Agency fisheries enforcement officers checked nearly 500 anglers across Yorkshire waterways – with 42 anglers caught fishing without a valid rod licence.
They visited 101 sites and used intelligence gathered from previous operations to target areas with higher than average licence evasion.
Fisheries officer Peter Mischenko said “Environment Agency bailiffs targeted waterways that are known hotspots for rod-licence evasion right across Yorkshire – which is why we returned with such a high offender rate.”
Anglers not in possession of a current licence and failing to produce a valid licence to the Environment Agency within seven days, will be dealt with through the courts.
Anglers caught fishing without a rod licence can be fined up to £2,500. Magistrates can also order forfeiture of equipment and ban the offender from holding a fishing licence for up to five years.
