Eleven men caught by Environment Agency officers fishing without a licence were ordered to pay a total of £1,030 today at East Berkshire Magistrates Court.
 
The court heard that the separate incidents all took place between 1 August
2006 and 27 August 2006 at fisheries in Barkham, White Waltham, Windsor and Crowthorne.
 
Environment Agency regional fisheries specialist Matt Carter said: “Fishing is an all-inclusive, healthy outdoor activity that can be enjoyed by anyone.
It’s important to protect and improve fish numbers hence we insist that everyone must have a valid rod licence.  Licenses are relatively inexpensive and all the money raised is put straight back into improving the environment for wildlife and anglers.”
 
“We have a duty to protect fish and the interests of legitimate anglers, so we are delighted the court has taken this action today. Illegal anglers should realise that our officers are on the riverbank and if anyone is caught flouting the law they will be caught and punished.”
 
The Environment Agency’s Fisheries Permitting and Enforcement Team (FPET) licenses anglers across England, Wales and the Border Esk, and it is their dedicated prosecution team that takes action against anyone caught fishing without a licence.
 
The following cases were heard:
 
1. Stephen Hogg, 46, of Western Avenue, Woodley, Reading was fined £50 and ordered to pay £70 costs for fishing without a rod licence on 1 August 2006 at Greenfields Farm, Barkham.
 
2. Gary Smith, 24, of Wilson Close, Winnersh, was fined £60 and ordered to pay £70 costs for fishing without a rod licence on 4 August 2006 at Greenfields Farm, Barkham.
 
3. Ty Herring, 37, of Bowerdean Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, was fined £40 and ordered to pay £40 costs for fishing without a licence on 6 August 2006 at Pondwood Farm Lake, Beenhams Heath, White Waltham.
 
4. Carl Blair, 19, of Fulwell Court, Baird Avenue, Middlesex, was fined £60 and ordered to pay £70 costs for fishing without a rod licence on 6 August
2006 at Pondwood Farm Lake, Beenhams, White Waltham.
 
5. Jason Beveridge, 36, of Manston Drive, Bracknell, Berkshire, was fined £30 and ordered to pay £30 costs for fishing without a rod licence on 6 August 2006 at Pondwood Farm Lake, Beenhams Heath, White Waltham.
 
6. David Hughes, 31, of New Road, Wilstone, Tring, was fined £60 and ordered to pay £70 costs for fishing without a rod licence on 19 August 2006 at Royal Berkshire Fishery, Windsor.
 
7. Matthew Vermeulen, 23, of Rowan Close, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, was fined £30 and ordered to pay £30 costs for fishing without a rod licence on
19 August 2006 at Royal Berkshire Fishery, Windsor.
 
8. Damien Malin, 22, of Sirius Close, Wokingham, Berkshire, was fined £50 and ordered to pay £30 costs for fishing without a rod licence on 19 August
2006 at Pondwood Farm Lake, Beenhams Heath, White Waltham.
 
9. David MacKay, 28, of Burbridge Close, Calcot, Reading, was fined £30 and ordered to pay £30 costs for fishing without a rod licence on 27 August 2006 at Greenfields Farm, Barkham.
 
10. Paul Sharpe, 29, of Hallmark Close, Sandhurst, Berkshire, was fined £30 and ordered to pay £30 costs for fishing without a licence on 27 August 2006 at Holme Grange Reservoir, Crowthorne.
 
11. Stuart Anderton, 20, of Burbridge Close, Calcot, Reading, Berkshire, was fined £50 and ordered to pay £70 costs for fishing without a rod licence on
27 August 2006 at Greenfields Farm, Barkham.
 
 
Buying a licence couldn’t be easier – there are around 15,000 Post Offices and other outlets which sell them direct, and for a small additional charge they can be purchased over the phone on 0870 1662662 or from our web site – www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish.