HMS Mersey's boarding team approaches Dutch fishing vessel the FV Elizabeth to carry out an inspection. PICTURE: Crown Copyright/MOD 2012
Trawler fishing off Norfolk coast issued with record fine by Royal Navy’s HMS Mersey
Thursday, February 9, 2012
1:35 PM
A record on the spot fine has been issued to fishermen trawling off the Norfolk coast after they were found using undersized nets.
Crew from the Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Mersey issued the £8,000 fine after they boarded Dutch fishing vessel the FV Elizabeth.
The Mersey - one of three ships from the Navy’s Fishery Protection Squadron - was on routine duties when it spotted the Elizabeth sailing 74km off the county’s shoreline.
Commanding officer Lieutenant Commander Mark Anderson decided to send over an inspection team, led by Marine Enforcement Officer Midshipman Phill Fordham.
Once aboard the crew found the two cod ends - the section of the net that catches and holds the fish - were “significantly undersized”, meaning young and vulnerable species were unable to escape as they were dragged through the water.
On reporting the infringement the Mersey issued the trawler’s captain with the four-figure fine.
Lt Cdr Anderson said: “This is a great result for my ship’s company and another example of the continued effectiveness of Royal Navy fishery protection vessels working to enforce important fisheries legislation in and around UK waters.”
The Fishery Protection Squadron is the oldest within the Royal Navy. Its ships patrol UK and EU waters inspecting fishing vessels at sea and enforcing fisheries regulations on behalf of the government’s Marine Management Organisation.
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6 comments
All a bit too late.....
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wes1975
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Mr john l norton thats a rather sweeping statement.Have you any proof of this?.
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ncfc
Saturday, February 11, 2012
we shouldnt allow foreign trawlers so close anyway, no wonder that theres very few local fisherman left
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icewarrior
Friday, February 10, 2012
Well done for catching the trawler using under sized nets. I bet it isn't the first time they were used and why not fine them the maximum?. If it had been a British trawler the fine would have been nearer the maximum.
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Paul Platten
Friday, February 10, 2012
I WAS FISHERY PROTECTION SWEEPER FLOTILA RATING WHEN THEY HAD MIDDIES THEY NO LONGER HAVE THEM
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sweeper
Thursday, February 9, 2012
The fishing industry is one of the most crooked a going.
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John L Norton
Thursday, February 9, 2012