Fishing Vessel Owner/Master Fined
On 4th October 2019 Mr David Brian William Grimmer, of the fishing vessel Willing Boys (PLN YH533), appeared at King’s Lynn Magistrates Court in a case brought by Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (Eastern IFCA).
Mr Grimmer pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay financial penalties totalling £4,157 which included a fine of £880, victim surcharge of £88 and full legal and enforcement costs for prosecution.
The court heard how the vessel had used a fixed net to take fish from Breydon water, where using such nets is banned. In passing sentence, the court said that the Mr Grimmer had acted deliberately in the way he had gone about his business.
Following the hearing the Chief Executive Officer of Eastern IFCA, Julian Gregory, said ‘long-term, sustainable fisheries are a benefit to everyone. In this case, there was a clear disregard for an Eastern IFCA byelaw which safeguards fish stocks in an area particularly sensitive to fishing activity. This behaviour is unacceptable, particularly to our fishery stakeholders, the majority of who fish responsibly.’
Notes for Editors
Eastern IFCA manage fishing activity six nautical miles out to sea from the coastline from Hail Sand Fort in Lincolnshire to Harwich in Suffolk. Our remit includes ensuring long-term, sustainable fisheries which do not negatively impact marine protected areas through implementing and enforcing fisheries legislation.
Juvenile fish use estuaries like Breydon Water as nursery areas. Such sites are protected from predators and have a plentiful food supply, allowing fish to grow into adults and contribute towards the stock. Many important species are thought to use Breydon Water as a nursery area including bass, mullet, smelt and flounder. Use of fixed nets is prohibited in Breydon Water to prevent over-fishing of juvenile fish, which would lead to impacts on the sustainability of fish stocks and the livelihoods of other fishers who rely on them.
More information on Eastern IFCA Byelaws can be found on the Eastern IFCA
Website: www.eastern-ifca.gov.uk
Contact: Julian Gregory (CEO Eastern IFCA) – 01553 775321 / 07771 594987
Address: Unit 6 North Lynn Business Village, Bergen Way, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 2JG