River Severn angler fined £1,000

An angler has been fined £1,000 after killing a salmon he caught in the River Severn for his birthday.

John Barker pleaded guilty to charges of taking a salmon during a period when salmon are not allowed to be killed, using illegal bait and fishing without a licence.

As well as the fine, Barker, aged 49, was also ordered to pay £462.03 at Kidderminster Magistrates Court yesterday.

Prosecuting on behalf of the Environment Agency, Claire Andrews told the court that in April an Environment Agency bailiff saw Barker, of Pedmore Road, Dudley, catch and kill a salmon from the River Severn at Blackstone, near Bewdley.

She told the court further inquiries revealed that as well as illegally taking the salmon and using a restricted bait, Barker did not have a fishing licence.

It is an offence to remove a wild salmon from a river before June 16.

Speaking after the case, Al Watson team leader of the Environmental Crime Team said: "Our enforcement officers have worked hard to gather evidence and we are pleased with the outcome.

"I hope that this sends a message that we will continue to find and prosecute those who flout laws that protect the environment."

The National Salmon Bylaws were implemented in 1999 to protect the endangered salmon stock in rivers in England and Wales.

In mitigation Barker said that he always held a licence and this was an oversight. He said he caught the fish for his birthday.

by Heather Loat