Illegal fishing leads to £25,000 fine

Lincoln man admits retaining Whelk under minimum size

A Lincoln man has been fined £25,000 for breaking fishing laws in Manx waters.

Dinars Lugans, the Master of the fishing vessel Prosperity FD 537, pleaded guilty to retaining Whelk under the minimum landing size.

In addition to the fine, he also forfeited his catch, which was estimated to be worth £3,500.

The vessel was boarded by DEFA Sea Fishery Officers while at sea earlier this month, where 93 bags of Whelk were found. 64% of the sample taken were found to be under the legal 75mm minimum.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture says it has strict laws in place to protect fishing stock, and this latest prosecution reinforces the safeguarding and sustainability of those stocks.

Mr Lugans will also have to pay £125 costs and a notice of suspension of the fishing licence has been issued.