Scottish scalloper fined
Jan 31st, 2009 | By ssacn | Category: Catching sectorSkipper David McCrossan of the Kirkcudbright vessel Our Heritage was fined £4,000 with £150 costs by the High Bailiff at a special Court in Douglas, Isle Of Man on 27/01/09.
The vessel was fishing within the three-mile limit when she was boarded by Isle of Man Sea Fisheries Officers from their vessel Barrule and was found to be fishing for, and retaining, scallops without the requisite permit and to be fishing with excess scallop dredges.
Mr McCrossan pleaded guilty in court to both offences and was given seven days to pay the fine. The vessel was detained in Port St Mary until the fine was paid and Mr McCrossan was disqualified from fishing within the 12-mile territorial sea for a period of four weeks.
The I.O.M Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry said: ‘The department is committed to the conservation and preservation of the Manx scallop fishing industry, this gives a clear message to other vessels operating in the fishery. Catch rates are higher in Manx waters than elsewhere in the Irish Sea as a direct consequence of the conservation measures we have in place. ”
“Fishermen who flout these rules put not only their own livelihoods, but those of their colleagues at risk. This is not acceptable, and fishermen of all jurisdictions must learn to respect the measures that we have put in place to protect their businesses.”
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