Bournemouth man fined for illegal fishing

26 year old Tommy Jay Rose wasn't licenced to fish in Ringwood

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 14th Jun 2024

A Bournemouth man's been ordered to pay over £400 after being caught fishing without a licence in Ringwood.

26 year old Tommy Jay Rose, from Kittiwake Close, entered a guilty plea a charge in his absence at Northampton Magistrate Court.

He's been prosecuted by the Environment Agency for illegally fishing at Rockford Lake.

The payment's broken down as a fine of £192, with £135 in costs and a £76 victim surcharge.

Lewis Swift, Environment Agency fisheries enforcement officer, said:

“Buying a rod licence is not expensive. Getting caught fishing without one is. Most anglers carry one. The few that don’t take a big risk and will be caught and prosecuted.”

Any angler aged 13 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence.

A 1-day licence costs £6 and an annual licence costs £30.

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.

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