Enforcement

The ‘FESS’ is a partnership between the Angling Trust and Environment Agency and funded by English freshwater fishing licence income. The FESS went ‘live’ on 1st November 2015, following the Angling Trust being awarded the National Angling Strategic Services contract by the Environment Agency.

FESS managers are all retired police officers of immense experience – and, as anglers themselves, perfectly understand the issues faced and required response.

The FESS builds on the groundwork and vision firmly laid between 2012-2015 and exists to support the Environment Agency, the statutory lead on fisheries enforcement, through:

• Coordinating a multi-agency approach to fisheries crime and compliance, encouraging a partnership approach. 
• Raising awareness throughout the police service, Crown Prosecution Service and Magistrates’ Association. 
• Helping advise the police and Agency and helping put things right should the service fall short. 
• Increasing incoming intelligence and sharing of that information. 
• Upskilling the angling community through Fisheries Enforcement Workshops and the provision of expert advice to angling clubs and fisheries. 
• Delivering the Voluntary Bailiff Service throughout England, empowering anglers to contribute to fisheries enforcement. 
• Delivering the Building Bridges Project, aimed at the education and integration of migrant anglers. 

Please do not hesitate to contact your Regional Enforcement Support Manager for professional enforcement advice. Contact details can be found here.

The Voluntary Bailiff Service is an increasingly important partnership between the Angling Trust and Environment Agency, empowering anglers to support the police and Agency in fighting back against fisheries crime and protecting fish and fisheries. The VBS initiative continues to be enormously successful, driving forward positive change.

Effective enforcement today is ‘intelligence-led’, relying upon incoming calls and information. This country has a long and proud history of volunteering, the police, for example, have received essential support from the Special Constabulary for many years and now have 500,000 Police Support Volunteers nationally.

Indeed, in Eastern Europe, government fisheries officers are supported by a huge army of volunteers – 5,000 in Poland alone – and in Holland, Royal Sportfisserij Nederland effectively manages and administers fisheries enforcement volunteers.

The Voluntary Bailiff Service, therefore, is a unique opportunity for freshwater anglers in England to positively contribute towards supporting the Environment Agency and police in protecting fish and fisheries.

Following a hugely successful pilot project in South East England between 2012 and 2015, the VBS revolves entirely around training Volunteer Bailiffs to report incidents and information to the appropriate agency and to a high evidential standard, thereby increasing the chances of successful prosecutions.

The VBS is inclusive, embracing volunteers from all age groups, sexes and ethnicities and we particularly welcome applications from the BAME community. The Angling Trust is also a member of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.

A Voluntary Bailiff examines a recovered hoop net with an Environment Agency Fisheries Enforcement Officer

Due to health and safety considerations, the volunteers are not expected to approach anglers on the bank – but report what they see and hear. It emphasises how vitally important reporting is and calls should be made to the 24-hour Environment Agency incident hotline 0800 80 70 60.

The VBS is currently administered by six regions throughout England, each run by an Angling Trust Regional Enforcement Manager, who works very closely with the Environment Agency and police. Each region is sub-divided into areas, each with an Environment Agency Fisheries Enforcement Officer acting as a Single Point of Contact, liaising with a volunteer serving as an Area Co-ordinator.

Training is provided by Angling Trust staff, who are both retired police officers and anglers; the Environment Agency; UK National Wildlife Crime Unit or local police, and the Fish Health Inspectorate.

Volunteers receive a pocketbook, identity card and Angling Trust clothing. Most importantly, access is provided to the secure VBS website for reporting purposes and information sharing. All volunteers must be over 18 years of age.

Annually, the VBS participates in Operation CLAMPDOWN with the Environment Agency and police, cracking down on illegal fishing during the coarse close season. This is a perfect opportunity to promote and increase partnership working, intelligence gathering and sharing – and for Volunteer Bailiffs to work directly with the professionals on joint patrols. During the 2019 close season, Operation CLAMPDOWN ran for the seventh consecutive year. Volunteer Bailiffs throughout England demonstrated their massive commitment to protecting fish and fisheries and cracking down on licence cheats by logging 3,650 patrols and reporting 131 incidents to the Environment Agency and police during ‘OCD7’.

All anglers can help this process, in fact – at any time of year – by reporting information and offences in progress to the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60, or the police on 101/999 as appropriate.

If you are interested in joining the Voluntary Bailiff Service please complete the VBS Application Form:

The Angling Trust encourages all anglers to comply with the law and buy an Environment Agency rod licence at www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/buy-a-fishing-licence

The funds raised from licence sales are spent on improving fish stocks and promoting angling, including several programmes of work delivered by the Angling Trust itself.

This data is provided periodically by the Environment Agency, and only refers to prosecutions of anglers that were conducted by courts in England in the month stated.

It does not include resolutions by way of cautions, warning letters or advice and guidance letters.

May – July 2023

Total fines for May-July: £14,112

On 26th June 2023 at Coventry, the offender Matthew Archbold aged 38 of Redfern Close, Solihull, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Bridgefoot – River Avon on 05/02/2023, received a verdict of Guilty and was fined £76 with a Conditional Discharge of 6 months.

On 9th June 2023 at Hull and Holderness, the offender David Black aged 39 of Stobhill Road, Glasgow, was prosecuted for the offence of Preparing to Fish with No Licence at Lambley – River Tyne on 29/10/2023, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £443

On 9th June 2023 at Hull and Holderness, the offender Dmytro Bilichenko aged 30 of Gordon Street, Goole, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Aire & Calder Canal on 04/01/2023, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £443

On 29th June 2023 at Hull and Holderness, the offender Ethan Jones aged 21 of Dodthorpe, Hull, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Beverley Beck End – River Hull on 21/03/2023, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £443

On 29th June 2023 at Hull and Holderness, the offender Ethan Jones aged 21 of Dodthorpe, Hull, was prosecuted for the offence of Close Season Fishing at Beverley Beck End – River Hull on 21/03/2023, received a verdict of Proof in Absence with no separate penalty imposed.

On 9th June 2023 at Hull and Holderness, the offender James Bartle aged 34 of Orkney Close, Hull, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Fossehill Shooting Ground on 01/01/2023, received a verdict of Guilty and was fined £443

On 9th June 2023 at Hull and Holderness, the offender John Smith aged 26 of Mcmullen Road, Darlington, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Woodlands Lake on 31/03/2023, received a verdict of Guilty and was fined £156

On 29th June 2023 at Hull and Holderness, the offender Jordan Martin Meredith Davies aged 29 of Dover Road, Walmer, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Bothal – River Wansbeck on 08/02/2023, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £555

On 29th June 2023 at Hull and Holderness, the offender Jordan Martin Meredith Davies aged 29 of Dover Road, Walmer, was prosecuted for the offence of Close Season Fishing at Bothal – River Wansbeck on 08/02/2023, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and had no separate penalty imposed.

On 29th June 2023 at Hull and Holderness, the offender Jordan Martin Meredith Davies aged 29 of Dover Road, Walmer, was prosecuted for the offence of National Bylaw: OF329 at Bothal – River Wansbeck on 08/02/2023, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and had no separate penalty imposed.

On 29th June 2023 at Hull and Holderness, the offender Jordan Martin Meredith Davies aged 29 of Dover Road, Walmer, was prosecuted for the offence of National Bylaw: OFB10 at Bothal – River Wansbeck on 08/02/2023, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and had no separate penalty imposed.

On 9th June 2023 at Hull and Holderness, the offender Ludovic Black aged 42 of Whitethroat Walk, Birchwood, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Lambley River Tyne on 29/10/2023, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £443

On 9th June 2023 at Hull and Holderness, the offender Mateusz Samulewski aged 26 of Suffolk Street, Hull, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Weel – River Hull on 19/03/2023, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £443

On 9th June 2023 at Hull and Holderness, the offender Mateusz Samulewski aged 26 of Suffolk Street, Hull, was prosecuted for the offence of Close Season Fishing at Weel – River Hull on 19/03/2023, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and had no separate penalty imposed.

On 29th June 2023 at Hull and Holderness, the offender Paul Ciontos aged 25 of Edgware Place, Leeds, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Birkwood Fisheries, Normanton on 12/02/2023, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £443

On 29th June 2023 at Hull and Holderness, the offender Paul Mountford aged 39 of Prospect Walk, Camblesforth, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Newhay Lakes, on 18/02/2023, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £443

On 9th June 2023 at Hull and Holderness, the offender Sean Wilson aged 42 of Holmes Avenue, Selby, was prosecuted for the offence of Preparing to Fish with No Licence at Newhay Lakes, on 28/02/2023, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £443

On 9th June 2023 at Hull and Holderness, the offender Shaun Edwards aged 35 of Hutton Avenue, Darlington, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Woodlands lake, on 24/10/2023, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £443

On 29th June 2023 at Hull and Holderness, the offender Vasile Amarioarei aged 51 of Balby Road, Doncaster, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Hexthorpe – River Don, on 12/02/2023, received a verdict of Guilty and was fined £116

On 5th June 2023 at Northampton Magistrates’ Court, the offender Adam Brunt aged 35 of Ponesfield Road, Lichfield, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Fisherwick Fishery, on 25/10/2023, received a verdict of Guilty and was fined £251

On 5th June 2023 at Northampton Magistrates’ Court, the offender Dan Cooke aged 30 of Appian Close, Birmingham, was prosecuted for the offence of National Bylaw: OFB10 at Harvington – River Avon, on 12/02/2023, received a verdict of Guilty and was fined £205

On 5th June 2023 at Northampton Magistrates’ Court, the offender Jason James Anderson aged 32 of Dee Road, Walsall, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Pool Hall Carp Fishery, on 22/10/2023, received a verdict of Guilty and was fined £227

On 5th June 2023 at Northampton Magistrates’ Court, the offender Joseph Kilburn aged 25 of Essex Road, Liverpool, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Baden Hall Fishery, on 11/02/2023, received a verdict of Guilty and was fined £307

On 16th June 2023 at North Cheshire, the offender Kevin Schorah aged 44 of Bank House Lane, Helsby was prosecuted for the offence of Preparing to Fish With No License at Dunham Fisheries, on 19/06/2023, received a verdict of Guilty and was fined £800

On 5th June 2023 at Single Justice Procedure – Midlands, the offender Adam Badi aged 44 of Basford Street, Sheffield, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Coppice Lane Pools, on 04/12/2022, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £443

On 5th June 2023 at Single Justice Procedure – Midlands, the offender Christian Harold aged 46 of Arden Close, Amington, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Fisherwick Fishery, on 06/11/2022, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £443

On 5th June 2023 at Single Justice Procedure – Midlands, the offender Jonathan Davis aged 30 of Tower Croft, Birmingham, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Kingsbury Water Park, on 04/12/2022, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £443

On 5th June 2023 at Single Justice Procedure – Midlands, the offender Joshua Hagan aged 32 of Dam House Crescent, Huyton, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Baden Hall Fishery, on 14/01/2023, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £443

On 5th June 2023 at Single Justice Procedure – Midlands, the offender Reece Murray aged 34 of Thornley Grove, Minworth, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at River Tame, on 07/12/2022, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £443

On 5th June 2023 at Single Justice Procedure – Midlands, the offender Simon Jones aged 37 of Baroadway West, Walsall, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Pool Hall Carp Fishery, on 22/10/2022, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £443

On 5th June 2023 at Single Justice Procedure – Midlands, the offender Stuart Carter aged 51 of Boney Hay Road, Burntwood, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Coppice Lane Pool, on 08/10/2022, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £443

On 5th June 2023 at Single Justice Procedure – North East, the offender Catalin Sakacs aged 28 of Thompson Avenue, Bradford, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Birkwood Fisheries, Normanton, on 12/02/2022, received a verdict of Guilty and was fined £240

On 30th June 2023 at Sussex Eastern Lja Hastings, the offender Brandon Woodger aged 23 of Heathcote Close, Aylesford, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Orchard Place Farm, on 11/03/2023, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £443

On 30th June 2023 at Sussex Eastern Lja Hastings, the offender Marcus Taylor aged 28 of Cambrian Road, Tunbridge Wells, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Elphicks Farm Lakes, on 27/01/2023, received a verdict of Guilty and was fined £345

On 30th June 2023 at Sussex Eastern Lja Hastings, the offender Marcus Taylor aged 28 of Cambrian Road, Tunbridge Wells, was prosecuted for the offence of Giving False Details at Elphicks Farm Lakes, on 27/01/2023, received a verdict of Guilty and no separate penalty was imposed.

On 30th June 2023 at Sussex Eastern Lja Hastings, the offender Rosen Vasilev aged 62 of Ilford Road, Ilford, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Hanningfield Reservoir, on 04/03/2023, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £443

On 5th July 2023 at Folkestone Magistrates Court, the offender Robert George Brealy aged 27 of Canterbury Road, Herne Bay, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Longshaw Fisheries, on 19/06/2022, received a verdict of Guilty and was fined £247

On 3rd July 2023 at Northampton Magistrates Court, the offender Adam Greenwood aged 33 of Wentworth Avenue, Macclesfield, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Baden Hall Fishery, on 14/01/2023, received a verdict of Guilty and was fined £275

On 5th July 2023 at North Cheshire, the offender John Rowan aged 63 of Redgate, Formby, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Abrahams Bridge at Liverpool Rd, on 22/10/2022, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £308

On 28th July 2023 at Sussex Eastern Lja Hastings, the offender Alin Florin Ionita aged 27 of Balcombe Road, Maidenbower, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Broadfield House Lake, Broadfield, on 09/04/2023, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £443

On 28th July 2023 at Sussex Eastern Lja Hastings, the offender Danny Sharland aged 34 of Beckets Close, Hastingleigh, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Singleton Lake, on 15/01/2023, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £443

On 28th July 2023 at Sussex Eastern Lja Hastings, the offender Dave Henry Smith aged 24 of Augustine Road, Orpington, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Lullingstone Castle Lake, on 17/01/2023, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £443

On 28th July 2023 at Sussex Eastern Lja Hastings, the offender Ethan Johnson aged 20 of Wood Leys, Chelmsford, was prosecuted for the offence of Close Season Fishing at River Chelmer, on 10/05/2023, received a verdict of Guilty and was fined £129

On 28th July 2023 at Sussex Eastern Lja Hastings, the offender Ethan Johnson aged 20 of Wood Leys, Chelmsford, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at River Chelmer, on 10/05/2023, received a verdict of Guilty and had no separate penalty imposed.

On 28th July 2023 at Sussex Eastern Lja Hastings, the offender Filip Balan aged 24 of Rudyard Grove, London, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Hanningfield Reservoir, on 04/03/2023, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £443

On 28th July 2023 at Sussex Eastern Lja Hastings, the offender John Glendinning aged 39 of North Street, Ashford, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at Cackle Hill Lakes, on 08/04/2023, received a verdict of Proof in Absence and was fined £443

On 28th July 2023 at Sussex Eastern Lja Hastings, the offender Josh Hubble aged 20 of Wood Leys, Chelmsford, was prosecuted for the offence of Close Season Fishing at River Chelmer, on 10/05/2023, received a verdict of Guilty and was fined £129

On 28th July 2023 at Sussex Eastern Lja Hastings, the offender Josh Hubble aged 20 of Wood Leys, Chelmsford, was prosecuted for the offence of Unlicensed Fishing at River Chelmer, on 10/05/2023, received a verdict of Guilty and had no separate penalty imposed.

Data Licence:
The Limited Licence granted by the Angling Trust to use the information on this web page will automatically expire 3 calendar months from the date that it is first uploaded to the Angling Trust website. For the avoidance of doubt this varies the limited licence described elsewhere in this website’s Limited Notice.

Monthly Fisheries Prosecutions.
Frequently Asked Questions and Glossary of Terms

FAQs
1. I didn’t know about the court hearing date, what can I do? You can contact the Magistrates Court and ask for the case to be re-opened. www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts

2. Why are the outcomes different for the same offence? At each hearing, the Magistrates take into consideration: the facts of the case, the attitude of the offender, any mitigation offered by the offender and their ability to pay any financial punishment.

Glossary of Terms
‘Penalty’ The penalty is what offender has to pay. It comprises the sum of the fine for the offence committed; a contribution to the Environment Agency costs; the Criminal Court Charge and a victim surcharge. The fine and victim surcharge is decided by the Magistrates hearing the case on the day. Fines go to the treasury. Costs go to the Environment Agency and contribute to the cost incurred in taking the case to court. Victim Surcharge goes to a specific fund for victims of crime. See: http://sentencingcouncil.judiciary.gov.uk/sentencing/victim-surcharge.htm

‘Proof in Absence’ The defendant did not enter a plea at the time their case was heard. The Court convicted the person in their absence.

‘Absolute Discharge’ The defendant is guilty but no fine is imposed

‘Conditional Discharge’ The defendant is guilty but no fine is imposed. There are conditions attached to the discharge: if re-offending occurs within the period of the discharge, the defendant can be sentenced for the original offence and the new one.

‘forfeiture order’ Equipment used in the offence is taken from the defendant and destroyed.

‘disqualification order’ The defendant is disqualified for a period of time, from holding or obtaining a fishing licence. You can’t fish during the period of disqualification.

Offence Code and Laymans Terms

• OF329: Using more than one rod and line when fishing for Salmonoids in all rivers, streams, drains and canals
• OFB08: Exceeded the 3 metre distance between rods
• OFB10: Leaving Rod(s) and Line(s) unattended
• OFNB3(3): Removed eels or shad by rod and line from any waters
• OFRB5: Used an illegal lure or bait
• OFRB18(1): Use of fish as bait in Lake District
• OFNB5: Use of a keepnet less than 2 metres in length
• OFNB8: Fishing with more than four rods and lines at the same time when fishing for coarse fish or Eels
• TA002: Person who unlawfully takes, destroys or attempts to take/destroy any fish in water which is private property
• WRA041: Fishing in a prohibited area
• WRA034: Removed any listed freshwater fish by rod and line from any river, stream or drain, or listed water