FISHERMAN FEELS PINCH FOR UNDERSIZED LOBSTERS Pembrokeshire fisherman David Thomas of 6 Eyenon Villas, Ludchurch, Narberth, Pembs had penalties totalling £600 imposed upon him by Haverfordwest Magistrates when his trial for taking undersized lobsters concluded on 19th June. In a trial interrupted by technical legal arguments, the Court heard how Fishery Officers from the South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee’s patrol vessel had boarded Thomas’ fishing boat in the Milford Haven on 17th August 2005 as it returned from the fishing grounds. On board amongst other shellfish were a quantity of lobsters, 3 of which were below the byelaw minimum size of 90 millimetres. Thomas told the court he had been confused as to how to measure a lobster and said he thought the Committee’s byelaw wording was unclear. The court did not agree and concluded he had had ample opportunity to measure the lobsters and return them to the sea where they had been caught; they fined him £100 and ordered him to pay £500 prosecution costs. Thomas was acquitted of a further charge of taking another 3 lobsters below the national minimum size when the court decided the charge had not been made out by the Prosecution. Speaking after the hearing, a Committee spokesman said “This case emphasises that fish and shellfish below the minimum size must be released at the first possible opportunity so they have a chance of regaining the habitat from whence they were taken. The last consideration is the convenience of the fisherman concerned and unnecessary delays will result in a prosecution in which both the skipper and the owner of the boat may have liability.” |
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