Angler Found Guilty of Five Fishing Offences in Carrickfergus

5th June 2023

A Co Antrim angler was found guilty of fishing offences and fined a total of £541 at Laganside Magistrates Court on Tuesday 23 May.

Aurel Ciurar (23) of Ava Park, Belfast was convicted, in his absence, of five breaches of legislation as prescribed under the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 and Public Angling Estate (PAE) Byelaws 2005.

The breaches were unlicensed fishing; fishing on DAERA’s waters without a permit; failing to provide his name and address; obstructing and impeding an authorised person, and using un-permitted fishing methods.

On 29 April 2022, fisheries protection officers with Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) were on routine patrol of the Public Angling Estate (PAE) at North Woodburn Reservoir in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim when they observed Ciurar along with another unidentified male fishing with a number of fishing rods.

Both men refused to provide officers with their details, to enable checks to take place to ensure they had the correct fishing license and permissions to fish legally at the location. Their fishing equipment was seized as a result of failing to provide their names and addresses.

They were also found to be using sweetcorn as bait, which is not permitted.

Officers were able to identify Ciurar by using the registration details of the vehicle the men used to leave the location. The identity of the second man has never been confirmed.

The total fine of £541 included:

£50 for the use of a vegetable matter (sweetcorn) as bait;
£75 for possession of an unlicensed fishing engine;
£75 for fishing on the department’s waters without a permit;
£150 for obstructing and impeding an authorised officer; and
£150 for failing to provide name and address along with court costs of £26 and 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.

Published in Angling, Northern Ireland Waters

Published in Angling

Tagged under

DAERA
Courts

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