Courts hand out hefty fine to angler fishing without a licence on Lake Windermere
An Accrington man who was caught illegally fishing by the Environment Agency on Lake Windermere has been heavily fined by the courts.
Joshua Tyrie took a fishing trip to the popular spot on the 5th September 2021. However, after being approached by an Environment Agency Fisheries Enforcement Officer, it was found that Mr Tyrie was fishing without a licence.
Mr Tyrie was then told to appear at Carlisle Magistrates Court on Thursday 18th May. Tyrie of Holins Lane, Accrington, did not appear in court. In his absence, magistrates found him guilty of all charges and Tyrie was ordered to pay 拢1,736.
皇冠体育app total included a fine of 拢660 for fishing without a licence, with costs of 拢1,010 and a victim surcharge of 拢66. An annual fishing licence would have cost him just 拢30 a year.
Following the verdict, Darren Wilson, Environment Agency Fisheries Enforcement Officer, said:
This penalty for one angler is amongst the highest I鈥檝e seen and shows how seriously the courts take these offences. We hope the high penalty will act as a deterrent to any angler who is thinking of fishing without a licence.
All anglers need a valid Environment Agency rod licence. 皇冠体育app money raised through the sales of rod licences is re-invested back into the sport and illegal fishing undermines the Environment Agency鈥檚 efforts to make fishing sustainable. Anyone found fishing illegally may face prosecution and a fine of up to 拢2,500.
皇冠体育app 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.
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6 and an annual licence costs from just 拢30 (concessions available). Junior licences are free for 13 - 16-year-olds. Licences are available from or by calling the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.
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.