Devon Trawlermen Convicted Of Multiple Fishing

[munterhunter]

The master and owners of a Brixham beam trawler have been convicted of multiple fishing offences.

Norris Brothers (South West) Ltd, owners of 30 metre trawler The Centaur, and the vessel's master, Malcolm Sharpe, of Brixham, were found guilty on 14 counts of failing to fully record catches of fish and one count of illegally fishing inside the 12 mile limit. Mr Sharpe and the boat's mate Barry Stockton, also from Brixham, also pleaded guilty to obstructing naval officers during a routine fisheries inspection.

Plymouth magistrates heard how officers from the Royal Navy fisheries patrol vessel HMS Lindisfarne were subjected to abuse after boarding The Centaur. Mr Sharpe and Mr Stockton were accused of trying to obstruct the officers after the Navy found an unofficial black log book, subsequently used as evidence of illegal fishing.

Defra, prosecuting, maintained that the black book was a true record of the boat's catch, while official EC log sheets had been incorrectly completed to deceive the authorities. The owners and master were subsequently charged with 14 fisheries offences.

Nick Wright, senior fisheries officer from Defra's Marine Fisheries Agency, said: "Boats that take more than their quota are cheating other fishermen.

They reduce fish stocks and quota available to legitimate fishermen; diminish the value of legally landed fish by flooding the market with illegal stock; and reduce the number of mature fish, limiting a species' ability to reproduce.

"Fisheries enforcement is a difficult and demanding job, designed to protect the interests of the fishing industry as a whole.

"The Royal Navy and MFA Inspectors will not tolerate boats that cheat law-abiding fishermen, and our officers will not be intimidated while they carry out their vital work to protect the industry and England's fisheries."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. This case was heard at Plymouth Magistrates Court 7-9 November 2005.

2. Fines and costs were set as follows:

* Fines:

Norris Brothers -

[duncan]

bit of a joke really - especially when you look at the costs which are wholly unrealistic.

[Newboy]

As long as all law breakers are targeted and not only those of this country .

 

 

[Les L.]

bit of history/background on www.eurocbc.org/page139.html

 

[Adam F]

Agree with Duncan.....good that we are targettting these people and bringing them to justice (?) but the fine IMHO isnt a big deal in the long term? Yes it may cripple a smaller fisherman, but it sounds as if these guys were more than that. If it sends out the right message it is better than doing nothing.

[great white]

In other country's they would have lost everything, boat gear even the van they load the illegal fish into

 

I bet the nets are worth more than the total fines and you can be sure the boats worth more than a pathetic 13.9 k total fine

 

good to see enforcement but not much of a deterent is it

 

Charlie