A vital mistake has cost three fishermen over £1,000 in fines.
Joe Edgar of Baker Street, Huyton, Louis Cannon of Knowsley Lane, Liverpool, and Anthony Wood of Harsefinch Road, St Helens, were all caught fishing in Merseyside without a licence. North Cheshire Magistrates Court heard how Edgar and Cannon were spotted by a Fisheries Enforcement Officer at Carrside Fishery near Ince Blundell on October 17.
When the pair were asked to show a rod licence they weren't able to. The same day Wood was also found to be fishing without a licence at a popular fishing spot near Rosemary Wood.
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Each of the men were ordered to pay £389 after appearing in court on May 11. The total included a fine of £220 for fishing without a licence, with costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £34.
The men could have saved £1,077 if they'd have bough an annual fishing licence for £30 a year.
Following the verdict, Damien Linney, Environment Agency Fisheries Enforcement Officer, said: "This case shows how seriously the courts take these offences and we hope the penalty will act as a deterrent to any angler who is thinking of fishing without a licence. Fishing illegally can incur a fine of up to £2,500 and offenders can also have their fishing equipment seized.
"We inspect rod licences throughout the North West and work 24 hours a day, seven days a week to check on cases of illegal fishing and other associated fisheries crime. Money raised from fishing licence sales is used to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries, benefitting anglers.
"Those cheating the system risk prosecution and a criminal conviction."
