Eight people who went fishing without first buying a licence landed themselves with £1,300 in fines and costs this week, in prosecutions brought by Environment Agency Wales.

Fishing without a licence is an offence under Section 27(a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.

At Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court on 15 November 2006:

Five men were prosecuted in connection with offences at Llwyn-Onn Reservoir, near Merthyr Tydfil.

Seen fishing on 4 May 2006:

Lee Lewis of Maerdy View, Rhymney, Gwent pleaded guilty by post. Gareth Newell of Ramsdon Street, Rhymney, Gwent attended Court and pleaded guilty. They were fined £60 each ordered to pay £70 each in costs.

Seen fishing on 11 May 2006:

Steven Rees of Ynys-y-Gored, Aberfan, pleaded guilty by post and was fined £60 with £70 costs. Andrew James of Victoria Street, Merthyr Vale neither attended nor wrote to the Court. The case was proved in his absence. He was fined £100 with costs of £70.

Seen fishing on 29 April 2006:

Carl Needs of Pentwyn Avenue, Mountain Ash, Rhondda CynonTaf pleaded guilty by post and was fined £60 with £70 costs.

At Mold Magistrates’ Court on 15 November 2006:

Peter Tuma of Chester Road West, Queensferry did not attend court and the case was proved in his absence. He was fined £200 and ordered to pay £70 in costs.

Anthony Wareham of Hillside Avenue, Connah’s Quay pleaded guilty by letter. He was fined £100 and ordered to pay costs of £70.

Both men had been seen fishing for coarse fish at Wepre Pool, Connah’ Quay on 6 May 2006.

Graham Thomas of Handsworth Crescent, Rhyl pleaded guilty by letter. He was fined £100 and was ordered to pay costs of £70. He had been seen fishing for coarse fish at Llyn Gweryd, Llanarmon-yn-Ial on 1 May 2006.

Following the cases an Agency spokesperson commented: ‘The income from rod licence sales is re-invested in improvements to fisheries. Our licences are good value, and can cost as little as £3.25. By cheating the system these offenders are depriving their fellow anglers of much-needed income. Our enforcement officers will continue to carry out checks, and we will prosecute any offenders caught, in line with our enforcement policy.’