Andrzej Krainski, of Eastern Road, Watton, in Norfolk fined £220 and imposed a £34 victim surcharge and £135 in costs after fishing illegally during close season

Andrzej Krainski, of Eastern Road, Watton, Norfolk, was caught fishing during the close season on the River Wensum on March 15, 2022.

Krainski pleaded guilty by post to the charge at Folkestone magistrates’ court. The court fined him £220, plus a victim surcharge of £34 and costs of £135.

Krainski was apprehended while fishing on the first day of the 2022 river fishing close season, which is in place to allow for an uninterrupted spawning period and to help protect vulnerable species.

It also allows the Environment Agency and its partners to carry out projects across the country to improve habitats critical for improving fish spawning.

Lesley Robertson, Environment Agency enforcement team leader in East Anglia, said:

‘This case shows we pursue offenders through the courts and won’t hesitate to take enforcement action where anglers break rules.

“Anyone found fishing illegally may face prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500.

“We urge anyone with information about illegal fishing to contact us on 0800 807060.”

The Environment Agency enforces laws all year and is assisted by police forces and the Angling Trust. Fisheries enforcement is intelligence-led, focusing on known hotspots and areas where illegal fishing has been reported.

Anyone with information about illegal fishing should contact our incident hotline at 0800 807060. You can also contact Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.

On July 12, 2010, Andrzej Krainski pleaded guilty by mail to violating National Byelaw 2 of the Environment Agency Byelaws. The offense was in violation of National Byelaw 6, which was confirmed on March 23, 2010, and was enacted in accordance with sections 210 and 211 of Schedule 25 of the Water Resources Act 1991. On May 27, 2022, he was sentenced at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court.

The coarse fishing season is closed from March 15 to June 15 inclusive.