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Friday 3 November 2023

Northumberland Fisherman Took Lobsters Illegally

A Northumberland fisherman has been convicted of breaching byelaws intended to conserve shellfish stocks.

Michael William Denton, 37, of Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, was convicted of breaching four byelaws in relation to the catching of lobsters when he appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 19th October 2023.

The prosecution was brought by the Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NIFCA), which is the statutory body charged with enforcing coastal fishery byelaws between the Rivers Tweed and Tyne out to a distance of 6 nautical miles from the coastline.

Denton admitted two of the breaches and was convicted of the other two following a trial.

The offences relate to:

  • Fishing with in excess of the five pots permitted by his recreational permit;
  • Exceeding the two lobsters that can be landed by virtue of a recreational permit on any single day;
  • Landing 21 lobsters beneath the minimum size;
  • Landing 3 lobsters that were egg-bearing (berried).

Denton was fined £400 and ordered to pay £192 surcharge and £400 towards prosecution costs.

Nick Weir, lead enforcement officer at NIFCA, said: "The authority is happy with the court's findings and for the continued support it has demonstrated towards the work we do.

"We would also like to thank the Environment Agency for its assistance during this investigation.

"Fishing for shellfish in Northumberland is vitally important to commercial fishers and a source of great enjoyment for responsible recreational fishers.

"Northumberland IFCA will vigorously pursue any person that deliberately harms the fishery or ignores byelaws that balance the social, environmental and economic needs of our stakeholders as we strive to promote healthy seas, sustainable fishing, and maintain a viable industry."

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