Fisherman fined £6,000 for fishing in closed area

Fri, 01 Sep 2017

Fisheries protection officers board Shane Byrne's vessel Frey.

The Island's fishing authority is warning against fishing in closed areas after a fisherman was fined £6,000.

Shane Byrne of Ramsey was caught fishing for king scallops in a closed area in Douglas in May, resulting in an appearance in front of magistrates this week.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture says breaches of regulations will not be tolerated, as closures are vital for the long-term sustainability of the Island's fishing industry.

Byrne was also ordered to pay £125 costs and barred from holding a sea fishing licence for a year.

He also admitted failing to submit and e-log, failing to transmit his location and having nets below the minimum mesh size, insisting he didn't properly understand the regulations.