On Tuesday, 28 April 2026, at Newcastle Magistrates Court, Shaun Brigham and Richard Ward, both residents of Holy Island, appeared before the court to face sentencing for breaches of local fisheries legislation.
The court found both individuals guilty of violating regional regulations designed to protect marine resources. As a result, both Brigham and Ward were issued fines for their actions, which contravened the laws established to ensure the sustainability of local fisheries.
The prosecution was brought against Mr Brigham and Mr Ward by the Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NIFCA) who manage 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 in August 2024, Mr Brigham and 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 defendant’s vessels the Freedom B BK532 and Sophy Rose BK533 attending 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 explained his illegal fishing activity, the financial risks versus rewards of doing so and his planned defence if caught.
District Judge Meek found both defendants guilty in January 2026, describing them and their witnesses in her judgement as “untruthful” in an “attempt to hide the defendants’ guilt.”
At the hearing on the 28th of April, Mr Brigham and Mr Ward pleaded guilty to four further offences discovered by NIFCA whilst the pair were under investigation in 2025.
District Judge Meek heard that on the 19th of August 2025 and 15th of October 2025 two fleets of lobster pots were seized by NIFCA in the Holy Island area that were not correctly identified and did not have the required commercial permit tags attached. Again, Inshore Vessel Monitoring System data showed the defendants vessel attending the gear immediately prior to its seizure.
Judge Meek sentenced Shaun Brigham to pay fines and costs of £28,842.60 and Richard Ward £26,425. She stated that she had given serious consideration to disqualifying the defendants from holding NIFCA permits however had taken into consideration the impact such a disqualification would have on the Holy Island community.
Nick Weir, Lead Enforcement Officer for Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, said: “NIFCA welcomes the court’s sentencing in this case. Shaun Brigham and Richard Ward deliberately and repeatedly breached legislation designed to protect vital local shellfish stocks for their own financial gain.
“What is particularly concerning is that these offences continued even while they were under investigation, showing a clear disregard for both the law and the sustainability of the marine environment.
“Our byelaws are in place to balance economic opportunity with the urgent need to safeguard our fisheries for the long term. We will continue to take robust action against anyone who undermines that balance through illegal activity.”
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On 11 September 2024, officers from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NIFCA) and Northumbria Police conducted a joint compliance patrol at the Port of Blyth following reports that the Andigee WY372 was repeatedly landing undersized shellfish.
Officers inspected and measured a total of 250 lobsters seized from the vessel. Of these, 248 were found to be undersized, 28 were egg-bearing , and 2 had mutilated tails. Only 2 lobsters were compliant with legislation.
On the 17 January 2025, officers from NIFCA and the MMO conducted inspections on static fishing gear in the NIFCA district set from the Andigee WY372, which was not permitted to fish at the time.
Officers seized 70 illegally set lobster pots that were not marked appropriately, and which were discovered to be storing 174 undersize lobsters one of which was egg-bearing.
The defendants Brenda Denton, owner of, and Charles Michael Denton, master of, the vessel Andigee WY372 from Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, were found guilty of the 2025 IFCA offences at a trial at Newcastle Magistrates Court in December 2025. They entered guilty pleas on the day of trial to the 2024 MMO and IFCA offences at North Tyneside Magistrates Court on 16 April 2026, following which they were sentenced on the same date for all offences.
The offences were:
- Landing European lobster below the minimum conservation reference size
- Landing mutilated lobsters
- Landing egg-bearing lobsters
- Retaining and carrying berried Lobsters aboard their vessel
- Fishing within the NIFCA district other than in accordance with a NIFCA permit
- Failing to display relevant information on fishing gear
These offences were in breach of legislation laid out in Fisheries Act 1981, the Sea Fish Conservation Act 1967 and the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 through NIFCA byelaws. The defendants received proportionate fines and costs totalling £6,060. They have also been disqualified from holding any IFC permit for 3 years and forfeited the 70 pots seized by NIFCA.
Sean Douglas, Head of Regulatory Assurance at MMO, said:
We are pleased to have secured this intelligence-led prosecution in coordination with our local partners. This outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of our joint enforcement and sends a clear message that we will take firm action against those who break the rules protect our marine environment and fish and shellfish stocks for future generations. I would like to thank all the officers and teams involved in bringing this prosecution to a successful conclusion.
Nick Weir, Lead Enforcement Officer at NIFCA said:
NIFCA welcome the court’s decision to disqualify Mr and Mrs Denton from holding any IFC permit along with the fines and forfeiture ordered, we agree with the courts assessment of Mr and Mrs Denton’s “flagrant disregard” fisheries legislation. Joint operations such as these show NIFCA’s commitment to promoting healthy seas, sustainable fishing, and a viable industry whilst vigorously pursuing anyone who jeopardises the health of the fishery. NIFCA would like to thank our partners at the Marine Management Organisation along with Park Square Barristers and Andrew Jackson Solicitors for their ongoing support.
MMO and NIFCA joint enforcement operation results in successful prosecution – GOV.UK
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Please note that our next Quarterly Meeting will be held at East Bedlington Community Centre, 16 & 17 Station Street, Bedlington, NE22 7JN on Monday 27th April 2026 at 11:30am
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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2026 marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of England’s Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs), recognising 15 years of dedicated work to manage inshore fisheries sustainably and protect the marine environment.
Established in April 2011 under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, IFCAs replaced the former Sea Fisheries Committees. Their creation marked a major step forward in marine management, introducing a novel, accountable and locally led approach to balancing the protection of marine ecosystems with the social and economic needs of coastal communities.
Over the past 15 years, IFCAs across England’s 10 districts have played a vital role in improving fisheries management, safeguarding marine habitats and supporting the long-term sustainability of inshore waters. Working closely with the fishing industry, government and other regulators, scientists, conservation organisations and local stakeholders, IFCAs have developed practical, evidence-led responses to complex challenges. These have included protecting sensitive habitats, introducing byelaws to support responsible fishing, and improving understanding of emerging fisheries.
The establishment of IFCAs also came at a pivotal time for England’s seas, alongside the designation of England’s Marine Protected Area network. For these protected areas to be effective, appropriate fisheries management measures were needed. IFCAs have worked tirelessly with local communities and stakeholders to develop and implement management that is both internationally important and locally tailored.
To mark the anniversary, the Association of IFCAs will share a dedicated series of 15 stories, each highlighting a key achievement from the past 15 years. Together, these stories will showcase the breadth of IFCA work, from Marine Protected Area management and fisheries science to enforcement, innovation, and meaningful engagement with coastal communities and the fishing industry.
The celebrations will culminate in a National Celebration of Inshore Fisheries at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, on 1 July 2026. The event will bring together partners, government bodies, MPs and fishing industry stakeholders to reflect on progress, share knowledge and look ahead to the future of England’s inshore fisheries.
Tony Tomlinson MBE, Chair of the Association of IFCAs, said: “Over the past 15 years, IFCAs have demonstrated the value of local management in delivering sustainable fisheries and protecting our marine environment. This anniversary is a chance not only to celebrate those achievements, but also to recognise the people who make this work possible every day.”
As IFCAs look beyond 2026, they remain committed to delivering their duties successfully, balancing environmental protection with the needs of inshore fisheries and coastal communities, while adapting to emerging challenges such as climate change.
To follow the 15 Stories of IFCAs, visit the Association of IFCAs on Instagram (@association_ifca), LinkedIn (Association of IFCAs) and X (@AssociationIFCA).
You can also watch AIFCA’s new films about IFCAs on their ‘About Us’ page here.
For more information, please contact Emily Bulled, Communication and Engagement Manager at the Association of IFCAs, at emily.bulled@association-ifca.org.uk.
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Consultations are open on the final four fisheries management plans (FMPs) being delivered by Defra.
The draft FMPs are:
- Celtic Sea and Western Channel demersal FMP
- Celtic Sea and Western Channel pelagic FMP
- Wrasses complex FMP
- Seabream FMP
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The Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (AIFCA) has just released a series of short films revealing the work of England’s 10 Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) through the stories of their members and officers. In the films, we hear first-hand how coastal communities are managing the future of their coastline to achieve a sustainable marine environment and inshore fisheries.
Check out the AIFCA website to watch all three videos to find out more.