Angler pleads guilty to fishing offences
Date published:
A Co. Antrim angler today pleaded guilty to fishing offences and fined a total of £215 at Laganside Magistrates Court.
Gibson McCleery (63) of St Saviours Gate, Ballyclare pleaded guilty to three breaches of legislation as prescribed under the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 and Public Angling Estate (PAE) Byelaws 2005.
The breaches were angling without the appropriate licence, fishing on DAERA’s waters without a permit and using unpermitted fishing methods.
On the 13 September 2023, DAERA Fisheries Protection Officers were on routine patrol of the Public Angling Estate (PAE) at North Woodburn Reservoir, Carrickfergus when they observed Mr McCleery fishing with four fishing rods.
When asked to produce a licence and permit for the four fishing rods Mr McCleery only had the appropriate fishing licence and permit in place that would allow him to fish one rod. It was also discovered that he was using “dead bait” which is an unpermitted method of angling at North Woodburn. Mr McCleery advised he was targeting pike and was unaware of the rules to legally fish at this location.
The total fine of £215 included:
• £50 for possession of an unlicensed fishing engine;
• £75 for fishing on the department’s waters without a permit, and,
• £75 for use of an unpermitted method of angling on a (PAE) water along with an offender levy of £15.
DAERA Inland Fisheries enforcement is committed to pursue those who fish illegally. If you are aware or suspect illegal fishing, you should contact DAERA Inland Fisheries on 0300 200 7860 or outside office hours contact 0800 807 060.
Notes to editors:
- “Dead bait” is defined as the use of smaller dead fish, attached to a fish hook used to attract larger fish. It is commonly used by anglers when targeting pike.
- A fishing licence is required to fish lawfully for any freshwater fish. All fishing rods being used are required to have a licence.
- A permit issued by DAERA Inland Fisheries is required to fish lawfully on the Departments (PAE) Public Angling Estate, a permit is required for each fishing rod being used.
- North Woodburn is a game fishery which is part of the Department’s (PAE) Public Angling Estate. The permitted methods of angling at North Woodburn (PAE) are worm fishing, fly fishing and spinning only.
- For further information on what is required to fish legally within the DAERA area please visit the Departments website at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/angling-rod-licence-and-permit-regulations-rules
- All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office at pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk
- Follow DAERA on X formerly called Twitter and Facebook.
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hour’s service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.