The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture’s commitment to the protection of scallop fisheries in Manx waters was once again demonstrated in a successful prosecution last week.
On Monday 9 February, sea fisheries officers from the Department found the locally registered vessel ‘Alena’ to be fishing for king scallop within an area south of Chicken Rock, which is closed to scallop fishing. This area of Manx waters is a breeding ground for king and queen scallops.
The vessel was detained in Port St Mary where it was found to have 21 bags of scallops on board.
The skipper Mr Girts Prizevs appeared before the Deputy High Bailiff on Friday 13 February where he was convicted of the offence of fishing for king scallops in Isle of Man territorial sea within an area closed to scallop fishing in contravention of Sea Fisheries Regulations.
The Deputy High Bailiff imposed fines totalling £10,000 plus £125 costs and ordered that the catch worth £1,550, be forfeited.
Richard Ronan MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said:
'Yet another prosecution for illegal scallop fishing reiterates the message to skippers about the risks of fishing in restricted and closed fishing zones.
'Protection and management of the scallop fisheries in Manx waters is important to promote the development and sustainability of stocks of these vulnerable and highly prized shellfish.'
For commercial fishing information visit: http://www.gov.im/categories/business-and-industries/commercial-fishing/.
