A significant sum.
A Boston man has been fined more than £600 after being caught fishing without a licence.
Aivis Putnins, 32, of St Bedes Drive, was found guilty in his absence at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on December 21.
The court heard Putnins had been fishing without a licence on the River Witham in the town on August 20 last year, breaching the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
Putnins was ordered to pay a fine of £440, costs of £171, and a victim surcharge of £44. The total penalty was £611.
Steve Powell, enforcement team manager for the Environment Agency, said: “It’s important that all anglers understand how seriously the courts take these offences and we hope it will act as a deterrent for any angler thinking of fishing without a licence.
“All the money raised from licence sales is used to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries, benefitting anglers. Those cheating the system will be prosecuted.”
Any angler aged 12 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence.
An annual licence costs from just £30 and is available from GOV.UK or by calling the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Anyone with information about illegal fishing activities can contact the Environment Agency Incident Hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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