Belgian trawler fined for fishing in UK waters – Fishupdate.com
Belgian trawler fined for fishing in UK waters Published: 31 October, 2006
Ipswich Magistrates Court
A BELGIAN trawler caught fishing illegally inside the UK’s 12-mile
limit was ordered to pay more than £12,000 yesterday.
The master and owner of the Sonja Z19 pleaded guilty at Ipswich
Magistrates Court after being boarded by HMS Quorn last Friday and
taken to Harwich.
The court heard that the trawler had been fishing inside the 12-mile
limit on two consecutive days.
The court fined the master and owner £500 each, plus £8,000 for the
fish caught and £3,100 costs.
A Marine Fisheries Agency spokesperson said:
“This punishment should act as a deterrent to anyone who tries to
flout the 12-mile limit at the expense of local fishing fleets whose
livelihoods depend on the fish there.
“We take seriously our job of enforcing European and UK laws and we
will take action against anyone caught breaking the rules, to protect
the long-term viability and sustainability of the fishing industry.”
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