Recommended

Tuesday, 23 September 2008 20:44

Environment agency fishing rod licence required for UK coarse and trout fishing.

  •  

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A LICENCE BEFORE HEADING TO THE RIVER:

Submitted by Adrian Westwood at The Environment Agency

Anglers eagerly anticipating the opening of the coarse fishing season on June 16 should make sure they have a valid rod licence before heading for the river.

The reminder comes as 270 anglers were prosecuted by the Environment Agency in May, resulting in more than £38,000 in fines and costs. In addition three anglers received cautions.

Fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish and eels in England and Wales and the Border Esk in Scotland requires a licence from the Environment Agency. Failure to have a licence is an offence. Those caught fishing illegally face tough penalties, including fines of up to £2,500 and a ban from fishing.

A small number of anglers believe a licence is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. This is not the case. All rod licences expire on March 31. For 2007/2008 a full season coarse and trout fishing licence costs just £24.50 and a salmon and sea trout licence costs £66.50.

There is also a range of concessionary, junior, eight-day and one day licences. The almost three million people who receive Disability Living Allowance in England and Wales are eligible for a half price fishing licence.

The protection of vulnerable fish stocks and increasing fishing participation are among the Environment Agency's key environmental goals. The money raised through rod licence sales; some £19m, is invested directly in fisheries work that benefits all anglers.

Buying a new licence couldn't be easier - around 15,000 Post Offices and other outlets sell them; a direct debit can be set up, and they can be purchased over the phone (0870 1662662) or on-line at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence any time, day or night.

In 2006 more than £600,000 was paid in fines and costs by more than 4,400 illegal anglers for fishing without a rod licence. In addition 40 anglers received cautions from the courts.


Edited By Paul Orford
Don't get caught out !! The Environment Agency WILL prosecute anyone found to be fishing without a licence ... and quite rightly so. The Environment Agency carry out some excellent work protecting our fisheries and fish stocks so don't go fishing without a licence.

Submit an Article: UK Fisherman would be delighted to here from you if you would like to comment on any of the fishing articles or if you would like to submit an article of your own.

To do so, please visit the CONTACT page.

Promote your Business

Promote your Business

FREE and PREMIUM fishery, fishing holidays, fishing club & tackle store listings.

Read more

Website Design

Website Design

Our friends at Angling4Business create and host quality fishing related websites.

View Website

Angling Newsletter

Angling Newsletter

News, reviews, competition details, tackle sales & more, direct to your inbox.

Sign up now

Sorry, this website uses features that your browser doesn’t support. Upgrade to a newer version of Firefox, Chrome, Safari, or Edge and you’ll be all set.