ANGLERS are being reminded that it will be open season for them too if they have not bought a rod licence before the start of the fishing season.
The Environment Agency's special enforcement team plans to boost its boat patrols on the river Severn to catch anglers fishing illegally from Saturday, June 16.
About £600,000 was paid in fines and costs by more than 4,400 illegal anglers for fishing without a rod licence across England and Wales in 2006. In addition, 40 anglers received cautions from the courts.
Team leader Al Watson said: "We won't accept any excuses. There has been more publicity than ever this year about the need for a rod licence and we will not be sympathetic to claims that people weren't aware of the law.
"If you fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish and eels in England and Wales you need a licence from the Environment Agency. Failure to have one is an offence."
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