Fine for Falmouth angler caught fishing without a rod licence
Routine checks by the Environment Agency caught a Cornish angler fishing without a rod licence, costing him 拢249.
Environment Agency staff out on patrol to check anglers have rod licences
Harry Fernihough, 23, from Tresco Place, Falmouth, pleaded guilty to fishing without a rod licence at Wheal Grey in Marazion. He was fined 拢130 and ordered to pay 拢67 costs plus a 拢52 victim surcharge at Swindon Magistrates Court on 17 December 2024.聽聽
Benjamin Pessl, Environment Agency fisheries enforcement officer, said:
Anyone who thinks 鈥業 don鈥檛 need to buy a rod licence, no one鈥檚 going to check鈥� is in the wrong. We do check, regularly, and we prosecute, always.聽
Buying a rod licence is not expensive. There鈥檚 no excuse for not having one.
Any angler aged 13 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence. A 1-day licence costs from just 拢7.10 and an annual licence costs from just 拢35.80 (concessions available). Junior licences are free for 13 - 16-year-olds. Licences are available from鈥�www.gov.uk/get-a-fishing-licence鈥痮r by calling the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.聽
The Environment Agency carries out enforcement work all year round and is supported by partners including the police and the Angling Trust. Fisheries enforcement work is intelligence-led, targeting known hot-spots and where illegal fishing is reported.聽
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.