On Thursday the 22nd of January 2026 at Newcastle Magistrates Court, Shaun Brigham and Richard Ward, both of Holy Island were convicted of breaching local fisheries legislation.
The prosecution was brought against Mr Brigham and Mr Ward by the Northumberland Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority (NIFCA) which manages the fishery along the North Tyneside and Northumberland Coast.
During a trial in December 2025, Howard Shaw KC of Park Square Barristers representing NIFCA, told the court that Mr Brigham and Mr Ward had fished with pots that were not affixed with the required tags stipulated in Authority byelaws resulting in their seizure.
Inshore Vessel Monitoring Systems data showed the defendants’ vessels the Freedom B BK532 and Sophy Rose BK533 at the location of the gear in the days immediately prior to the seizure.
Evidence was also given of a 2021 conversation between Fisheries Officers and Mr Brigham in which he referred to illegal fishing activity, the financial risks versus rewards of doing so and his defence if caught.
Mr Brigham and Ward represented by Richard Arnot of Keystone Law both pleaded not guilty to the offences, claiming a third party must have set the pots up to look like theirs and then placed them along their vessels’ tracks.
District Judge Meek found both defendants guilty, describing them and their witnesses in her judgement as “untruthful” in an “attempt to hide the defendants’ guilt.” Judge Meek adjourned sentencing until late February.
Nick Weir, NIFCA’s lead enforcement officer, said: “The Authority welcomes the conviction of Mr Brigham and Mr Ward, they deliberately chose to exceed effort control legislation designed to protect the species relied upon by the local industry for their financial gain, to the detriment of legitimate fishermen.
“NIFCA is committed to taking appropriate action against any individuals who compromise the health of the fishery. Our byelaws, together with national legislation, are designed to balance the social, environmental, and economic interests of our stakeholders, supporting healthy marine environments, sustainable fishing practices, and a viable industry for future generations. The Authority would like to thank both Howard Shaw KC of Park Square Barristers and Andrew Oliver of Andrew Jackson Solicitors for the support they have provided during the matter.”
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Please note that our next Quarterly Meeting will be held at Newbiggin Maritime Centre, Church Point, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, NE64 6DB on Monday 26th January 2026 at 1pm.
The meeting is open to all. If you have any queries or would like to attend, please email nifca@nifca.gov.uk.
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New legislation will soon require smaller (under-12 metre) English fishing vessels to have a device fitted to monitor fishing activity and help improve the management and sustainability of our marine environment.
For more details please see link below:-
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mmo-confirms-i-vms-legislation-schedule-for-2025
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At a recent public meeting of the Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NIFCA), members voted in favour of introducing new management measures for trawling within the Coquet to St Mary’s Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ).
The decision to introduce an adaptive management plan aims to ensure that trawling can continue within the MCZ while incorporating additional measures to balance conservation efforts with the needs of the local fishing community.
NIFCA has led on the development of a management plan as part of its remit to manage fishing activity in MCZs. This is in line with conservation objectives and following an assessment process, including advice from Natural England.
The NIFCA trawling byelaw, initially introduced in 2015, and updated in 2021, regulates trawling activities within the Northumberland district, including the MCZ. The byelaw requires vessels to hold a valid permit and limits trawling to vessels depending on their size.
The byelaw also requires permit holders to obtain an additional exemption to trawl within the MCZ and restricts gear types, allowing only light otter trawls within the MCZ. It also mandates that permit holders submit monthly reports detailing their fishing activity.
Following recommendations from NIFCA’s Technical and Scientific subcommittee, members approved the proposed Coquet to St Mary’s Marine Conservation Zone Trawling Management Plan.
The plan establishes clear guidelines for the granting of trawling exemptions for permit holders to trawl in the MCZ, this includes vessel tracking requirements which provides information on the extent and intensity of trawling in the MCZ, and an annual cap on fishing activity. These measures should maintain sustainable fishing opportunities while protecting the area’s unique marine environment.
Key MCZ management measures:
- Exemptions will be granted to fishing vessels with a permit and an active record for trawling in the MCZ during 2022.
- Exemptions require vessels to be fitted with a GPS tracker and gear sensor, which will be supplied and funded by NIFCA.
- Maximum annual cap of 1,000 trawling hours, based on 2022 activity levels, will serve as the threshold for 2025.
Acknowledging concerns from fishers who do not qualify for exemptions, NIFCA remains committed to ensuring fairness in the transition to these new measures. The management plan will be reviewed annually, incorporating feedback and data to refine future strategies.
NIFCA Chief Officer Mark Southerton, commented: “This decision reflects our commitment to balancing sustainable fisheries with the protection of marine habitats. By implementing these adaptive management measures, we aim to support the inshore fishing fleet while ensuring the long-term health of the MCZ.”
For more information on the new trawling management measures, please visit Coquet to St Mary’s MCZ Management Plan, contact the team by email at nifca@nifca.gov.uk or call the office: 01670 797 676.
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Please click on the link below where you will find the relevant information regarding the service of the Newbiggin wave buoy
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FMP online consultation events are now available for stakeholders to attend. Further information can be found by following the link below.