Now the EA gets tough on anglers

Published: Wednesday, 07 July 2010

THE Environment Agency has taken licence evasion to a new level, now using a patrol boat to catch unlicensed anglers.

Many anglers fishing the Trent were taken by surprise this week when a patrol boat swooped on them with its officers demanding to see their licences.

The Environment Agency officers cruised along in motor-driven dinghies, leaving Farndon Marina and heading towards Collingham, to check anglers were fishing legally with rod licences.

Altogether 300 anglers were checked, with a dozen found to be fishing without a licence. One was arrested after trying to run away from officers.

The best way

Bill Burleigh, Lead Fisheries Officer for the Environment Agency's Midlands enforcement team, explained:

"The best way to patrol rivers as large as the Trent is to put a boat out on the water. You can cruise along and you don't miss any anglers. They cannot hide.

"If you go on the road you have to walk along the banks It is not always easy to see people. But this way you can see them from a long way off."

Regular patrols

The agency is now mounting regular patrols on rivers such as the Trent and Severn, and all anglers are checked, and for those without licences with them, a quick call to head office confirmed whether or not they had licences.

For those without a licence, officers report their details and the case goes before a magistrates' court, where they can be fined.