Dutch trawler convicted of illegal fishing – Fishupdate.com

Dutch trawler convicted of illegal fishing Published:  10 March, 2006

THE owners and master of a Dutch beam trawler, Joris Senior (ARM 18),

have been fined over £7K and ordered to forfeit fishing gear valued

at around £14K at Dover Magistrates Court for using illegal fishing

gear in UK waters.

This successful prosecution was a result of joint co-operation and

enforcement by both the Royal Navy and Dutch Enforcement Authorities.

The Dutch trawler was boarded on Wednesday morning after a joint

surveillance operation by HMS Mersey and a Dutch fisheries protection

vessel, Barend Biesheuvel. Charges were brought after the fishing

nets were hauled and found to contained ‘blinders’ (illegal smaller

meshed nets attached inside the legal net) which trap undersized

fish.

The vessel was detained in Dover and further investigations revealed

a large quantity of undersized fish and more illegal netting.

Paul Johnson, senior fisheries officer from Defra’s Marine Fisheries

Agency, said: “Boats using this type of illegal netting are cheating other fishermen and the penalties reflect the seriousness of the offences committed.

“Fisheries enforcement is a difficult and demanding job, designed to

protect the interests of the fishing industry as a whole. Today’s

successful prosecution is a good example of how by working together

the UK along with our Dutch colleagues can reduce illegal fishing and

help conserve valuable fish stocks.”

Lieutenant Commander Ian Lynn said outside the court: “This is an excellent example proving that joint operations effectively enforce the regulations in areas where previously fishing vessels had been able to cross borders to avoid inspection.”

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