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<p>The Environment Agency undertakes a number of activities to deter people from fishing
without a valid rod or net licence.</p><p> </p><p>The principal mechanism used by
fisheries enforcement officers is licence checking. Targets are set across Environment
Agency areas linked to the number of fishing licences sold and during the 2017 to
2018 financial year (the last complete year of data), a total of 64,702 fishing licences
were checked by fisheries enforcement staff.</p><p> </p><p>2,257 anglers were prosecuted
for fishing licence offences and successful prosecutions resulted in a total average
penalty of £267 with total fines issued (including costs) totalling £583,483.</p><p>
</p><p>In addition the Environment Agency uses social media, produces a monthly newsletter,
works with partners and attends angling and country shows to reduce evasion and highlight
the consequences of fishing without a licence.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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