UK fisherman fined £35,000 for undersized catch

Lincoln man also has IoM licence suspended for twelve months

A UK fisherman has been fined £35,000 for possessing undersized whelk in Manx waters.

DEFA Fisheries officers boarded the vessel Julia Anne FD5 near the Point of Ayre on the afternoon of Tuesday, 22 November.

The vessel's catch was found to be undersized, and the vessel was then escorted to Douglas where it was detained.

A further inspection found 19.5% of the catch of whelk was below the legal minimum size of 75mm.

Master of the vessel, Dinars Lugan of Lincoln, appeared before a special sitting of the court in Douglas on Friday, 25 November.

Lugan received a £35,000 fine and £125 in costs and his Isle of Man licence was suspended for twelve months. 

The vessel's gear was confiscated and the value of the catch awarded to DEFA.

Environment, Food & Agriculture minister, Clare Barber, says this conviction is a 'clear message' to vessels operating in Manx waters that 'they must all abide by the regulations.'