Fishermen fined for illegal lobster pots
NIFCATwo fishermen who illegally caught lobsters off the Northumberland coast have been fined thousands of pounds.
Holy Island-based James Brigham and Richard Ward repeatedly breached regulations in place to prevent over-fishing, Newcastle Magistrates' Court heard.
The pair, who "gloated" about their actions and carried on breaking the law even while being prosecuted, admitted some offences and were found guilty of others in a case brought by the Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NIFCA).
District Judge Kate Meek allowed the men to keep their commercial fishing permits "by the skin of their teeth" after hearing how a suspension would devastate their families and crew.
NIFCA lead enforcement officer Nick Weir said commercial fishermen need a permit from the authority to catch fish and shellfish within six miles of the Northumberland coast which restricts the number of pots they can put down in a bid to maintain healthy sealife stocks.
As part of the permit, pots have to be marked with the names of the fishing vessels they are owned by, but patrols by NIFCA found Brigham and Ward were putting out more pots than they were entitled to and were trying to hide their actions by not identifying their gear properly.
'Loss of livelihoods'
Their first breaches were discovered in 2024 with a prosecution launched, but the men, who operated two boats, were found to still be committing the same offence the following year while their case progressed through court, the court heard.
Judge Meek said the pair were making thousands of pounds "harvesting lobsters and other shellfish that need protecting".
She said they would "flagrantly disregard the requirements of their permit and do it over and over again".
The men had "gloated" about their actions and said any fines would be "not serious enough" to deter them carrying on breaking the law, the judge said.
She asked NIFCA why they were not advocating for the fishermen to lose their permits, either through a temporary suspension or permanent disqualifcation.
Howard Shaw KC, for NIFCA, told the court the authority had considered a ban but they were "concerned" about the impact it would have on the "small population" of Holy Island and its fishing fleet.
Brigham and Ward operated two of the island's five fishing vessels and both they and their crew would "lose their livelihoods" if they were barred from catching in Northumberland waters, Shaw said.
'Breaches for financial gain'
Richard Arnot, representing the two men, said removal of their permits or even a suspension would be "disproportionate" and likely result in bankruptcy affecting the men, their families and their workers.
He also said there was "no evidence of any harm to the ecology of the area" as a result of the men's actions.
Judge Meek said she had seriously considered revoking the men's permits but they could keep them "by the skin of their teeth".
Should they or anyone else associated with their vessels be caught breaking the law in the future, she would not hesitate to ban them from operating, the judge added.
Brigham was ordered to pay £28,842.60 in fines and costs and Ward £26,425, with both men agreeing to pay the full amounts within 30 days.
Speaking after their sentencing, Weir said the pair "deliberately and repeatedly breached legislation designed to protect vital locals, shellfish stocks, for their own financial gain".
He said: "What is particularly concerning is these offences continued even while they were under investigation, showing a clear disregard for both the law and the sustainability of the marine environment."
