Leicester angler fined after being caught fishing illegally
A Leicester angler has paid the price after being caught fishing illegally. Vaidotas Jucaitis, 52, was found out on the River Soar without a licence in May this year.
He was also practising the sport in the close season when it is restricted in order to protect fish when they are spawning, and help maintain numbers in rivers. The close season runs between March 15 and June 15 each year.
Jucaitis, of Highfield Street, was caught on Thursday, May 9, on the river between Abbey Mills and Abbey Park in Leicester. Northampton Magistrates Court found him guilty of the offences this week.
READ MORE: Man, 19, torched sofa then tried to set his trousers on fire
Jucaitis did not attend court for his case. He was fined £415 – £100 for each charge, ordered to pay costs of £135 and a victim’s surcharge of £80.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We hope these penalties will act as a deterrent to any angler who is thinking of fishing either without a licence or during the close season. The close season is in place to reduce disturbances to protect vulnerable stocks during their peak spawning period.
“We urge anglers to respect the close season in order to help reduce pressures on our fisheries, benefitting fish and the wider environment. Our fisheries enforcement team work seven days a week to check that anglers are following fishing regulations.”
Anglers aged 13 or over who fish on a river, canal or still water need a licence. The cost of a one-day licence starts at £7.10 and an annual licence starts at £35.80. Junior licences are free for 13 to 16-year-olds.
The Environment Agency said all income from fishing licence sales is used to fund its work to protect and improve fish stocks, fisheries and the environment. Anyone with information about illegal fishing activities can contact the agency’s 24/7 hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or can report them anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.