A man has been fined after he was caught illegally fishing for Salmon and Trout in the River Itchen.

Alex Ferrucci was hit with a £100 fine in his absence on Friday after he admitted to fishing in the River Itchen at Riverside, Bishopstoke without a licence.

He also pleaded guilty to contravening a byelaw in respect of fisheries in that he stored fish in a keepnet of less than two metres in length.

Prosecutor, Tim Concannon told Southampton Magistrates’ Court that Ferrucci, of Seymour Court, Fleet, was spotted fishing in the area on June 28, 2023.

He was challenged but when asked he was unable to provide his licence to fish in the area.

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An Environment Agency enforcement officer was called and released the captured salmon and trout back into the river.

The court heard how the keep net that they were being stored in was only 28 centimetres long.

Rod licences are provided to fishermen for that area and can be bought online.

Mr Concannon added that the "chalk streams in this area are of world heritage" status.

The legal adviser told the court how he’d claimed he didn’t understand how to pay, adding that he has zero savings.

A further charge of theft was dropped by the prosecution.

Ferrucci was ordered to pay £135 court costs.

An order was made for the forfeiture and destruction of a rod, tackle and keepnet that were seized at the time of the offence.