SIX anglers have been fined more than £600 each for fishing without a licence in waters in Hampshire.

Environment Agency officials have taken six men from across the south to court after they were caught trying to catch fish in lakes and rivers in the Romsey area and across the county.

Officers caught up with them at Broadlands Lake in Romsey, Longbridge Lake in Ower, along the River Itchen in Southampton, and Frank’s Lake in Totton.

• Paul Grzybowski, 33, from Avenue Road, Southampton admitted illegally fishing at along the River Itchen, the White Swan in Mansbridge on August 26 last year.

• James Coffen, 30, from Honister Close, Southampton, was found illegally fishing at Longbridge Lake, near Ower on September 13 last year.

• Matthew Foreman, 26, from The Fower, Blackfield, Kane Gulliford, 26, from Gainsford Road, Southampton, and Danny Watson, 25, from Gale Close, Mitcham, Surrey, were all caught at Broadlands Lake on September 27 last year.

• Billy Moss, 20, from the West Dean, Salisbury, was caught at Franks Lake, Totton on October 17 last year.

All six men admitted the offences under the salmon and freshwater fisheries act 1975 at Southampton magistrates’ court.

Tim Sykes who leads the team of enforcement officers for the Environment Agency said the offenders are cheating those "other anglers who play by the rules”.

“Illegal fishing has consequences for how we can manage our rivers and wetlands to improve them for the fish and wildlife in general. We plough the money from the licences back into making fishing better.

“I think that one of the biggest frustration among the anglers. Those who pay up and care about the environment are frustrated by those who don’t.”

The maximum fine for fishing without a licence, which costs £27, is £2,500.

Environment Manager Mike O’Neill said; “We take our job of protecting angling, fisheries and the environment very seriously. The vast majority of anglers who fish legally deserve to see those who flout the law brought to account. To that criminal minority our message is clear; we won’t hesitate to take action to stop illegal fishing.”

Any angler aged 12 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence which can be bought online or in person from the Post Office or by phoning 0344 800 5386.

To help crack down on unlicensed fishing the Environment Agency urges anyone to report illegal activity by calling the Environment Agency Incident Hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.