Post by Hoppy on Apr 9, 2008 18:00:17 GMT -1
Two caught for illegal netting of sewin in Llwchwr Estuary
Two Burry Port men have pleaded guilty to the illegal netting of a sewin in the Llwchwr Estuary. The prosecutions were brought by Environment Agency Wales and were heard at Ammanford Magistrates’ Court this week (7 April 2008).
Christopher Wayne Price of Carway Street and Ian Maclachlan of Cliff Terrace were each ordered to pay a total of £915 in fines and costs.
The Court was told that acting on information received Environment Agency Enforcement Officers conducted a surveillance operation on the 21 September 2007 in the Burry Inlet.
At this particular location the only type of nets permitted to be used are stake nets and then only to fish for sea fish. Other forms of fixed net fishing and drift netting are not permitted. Neither defendant was therefore entitled to fish for or take migratory fish by virtue of any fishing licence.
The Court was told that in the Agency’s view this was a premeditated offence in that both men would have been fully aware of the restriction on fishing in the relevant waters and the illegality of their actions. Whilst it is likely that the main purpose of this particular exercise was probably to take sea fish the Burry Inlet would have been frequented by numerous sea trout and salmon at the time of year and the form of fishing adopted by the defendants did not discriminate between species.
The Court made an Order of Forfeiture in respect of items seized at the time of the offence. These included bins, nets, marker flags, a buoy, and the sewin.
Dafydd Williams, Team Leader, Environmental Crime at Environment Agency Wales said:
“These are serious offences with real consequences on fish stocks. Taking sewin before they have a chance to spawn will damage future stocks and threaten the livelihood of commercial fishermen and the enjoyment of licensed anglers.”
“As Enforcement Officers for the Agency, we use our local knowledge and any intelligence information we get to target specific areas where we know this type of activity goes on. You may not be able to see us, but we will be watching.”
Both men pleaded guilty to taking a migratory trout otherwise than by means of an instrument which they were entitled to use for that purpose by virtue of a fishing licence (i.e. a net), an offence contrary to Section 27(a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
On conviction both men were each fined £500 and each ordered to pay costs of £400. The Court also imposed a Victims Surcharge of £15 in each case.
Two Burry Port men have pleaded guilty to the illegal netting of a sewin in the Llwchwr Estuary. The prosecutions were brought by Environment Agency Wales and were heard at Ammanford Magistrates’ Court this week (7 April 2008).
Christopher Wayne Price of Carway Street and Ian Maclachlan of Cliff Terrace were each ordered to pay a total of £915 in fines and costs.
The Court was told that acting on information received Environment Agency Enforcement Officers conducted a surveillance operation on the 21 September 2007 in the Burry Inlet.
At this particular location the only type of nets permitted to be used are stake nets and then only to fish for sea fish. Other forms of fixed net fishing and drift netting are not permitted. Neither defendant was therefore entitled to fish for or take migratory fish by virtue of any fishing licence.
The Court was told that in the Agency’s view this was a premeditated offence in that both men would have been fully aware of the restriction on fishing in the relevant waters and the illegality of their actions. Whilst it is likely that the main purpose of this particular exercise was probably to take sea fish the Burry Inlet would have been frequented by numerous sea trout and salmon at the time of year and the form of fishing adopted by the defendants did not discriminate between species.
The Court made an Order of Forfeiture in respect of items seized at the time of the offence. These included bins, nets, marker flags, a buoy, and the sewin.
Dafydd Williams, Team Leader, Environmental Crime at Environment Agency Wales said:
“These are serious offences with real consequences on fish stocks. Taking sewin before they have a chance to spawn will damage future stocks and threaten the livelihood of commercial fishermen and the enjoyment of licensed anglers.”
“As Enforcement Officers for the Agency, we use our local knowledge and any intelligence information we get to target specific areas where we know this type of activity goes on. You may not be able to see us, but we will be watching.”
Both men pleaded guilty to taking a migratory trout otherwise than by means of an instrument which they were entitled to use for that purpose by virtue of a fishing licence (i.e. a net), an offence contrary to Section 27(a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
On conviction both men were each fined £500 and each ordered to pay costs of £400. The Court also imposed a Victims Surcharge of £15 in each case.