A 30-year-old man has been fined more than £400 after he was caught fishing illegally in Cornwall.

Christopher Way from York Road, Plymouth was sentenced at Swindon Magistrates Court on April 9 after he was caught fishing for freshwater fish or eels without a valid rod licence in Porth Reservoir, Newquay in January 2024. 

Way was convicted in absence and was ordered to pay a £220 fine in addition to £135 in costs and £88 victim surcharge.

James Allan, an Environment Agency fisheries enforcement officer said: “Money raised from fishing licence sales is used to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries, benefitting anglers and, for those caught cheating the system, we will always prosecute.

“These anglers disregarded signs at the fisheries that said an Environment Agency rod licence was needed to fish.

“Rod fishing bylaws are there to protect fish stocks and their habitats. If you do not comply with these bylaws, you could face prosecution and be fined up to £2,500.”

Any angler aged 13 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence. A one-day licence costs just £7.10 and an annual licence costs just £30 (concessions available).

Junior licences are free for 13 - 16-year-olds.

Licences are available from www.gov.uk/get-a-fishing-licence or by calling the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.

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.

Anyone with information about illegal fishing activities can contact the Environment Agency incident hotline 24/7 on 0800 80 70 60 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.