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

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 Southampton area.

Officers caught up with them along the River Itchen in Southampton, at Broadlands Lake in Romsey, Longbridge Lake in Ower, 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.

• James Coffen, 30, from Honister Close, Southampton, was found illegally fishing at Longbridge Lake, near Ower.

• 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.

• Billy Moss, 20, from the West Dean, Salisbury, was caught at Franks Lake, Totton.

They all admitted the offences 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 it is one of the biggest frustrations 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; “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.”