On Thursday the 22^nd of June at North Tyneside Magistrates Court, Mr Charles “Michael” Denton of Atlee Terrace, Newbiggin by the Sea, was found guilty and sentenced for two  breaches of national fisheries legislation. This related to an incident in July 2022 when he failed to return 179 Lobsters to the sea that were below the minimum landing size.

The case was brought against Mr Denton by the Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NIFCA) who manage the inshore fishery along the Northumberland and North Tyneside coastline.

During the trial, Elizabeth Rowley of Andrew Jackson Solicitors prosecuting on behalf of NIFCA, informed the court that on the 18^th of July 2022 Mr Denton, owner/skipper of the commercial fishing vessel Talisman II BK176, was observed at sea by two Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Officers (IFCO’s) from NIFCA setting conspicuous plastic boxes along with lobster pots off the coast of Cambois before returning to the port of Blyth. The two Officers, after proceeding to the sea in one of NIFCA’s enforcement vessels were able to recover these boxes. They found 168 lobsters that measured beneath the minimum conservation reference size stored inside. In between these two events, Mr Denton landed the remainder of his day’s catch to a wholesaler in Blyth, IFCO’s from NIFCA inspected this catch and also found 11 lobsters that measured beneath the same conservation reference size.

Mr Denton had committed 2 offences, he pleaded not guilty to the first and guilty to the second.

• He failed to immediately return 168 lobsters to the sea, contrary to Council Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 for the conservation of fisheries resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures, pursuant to Council Regulation (EU) 2013/1380 on the Common Fisheries Policy.
• He failed to return to the sea and landed 11 Lobsters contrary to Council Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 for the conservation of fisheries resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures, pursuant to Council Regulation (EU) 2013/1380 on the Common Fisheries Policy.

 After hearing evidence from two IFCO’s and from Mr Denton,  the Bench found Mr Denton, represented by Paul Dunn of Lawson and Thompson Solicitors, guilty of both offences. Mr Denton was sentenced to pay a fine of £1000, a further £1000 in prosecution cost and a victim surcharge of £400.

Nick Weir, the Lead Enforcement Officer for NIFCA, said: “The Authority is pleased that the court recognises the importance of national fisheries legislation, Mr Denton’s disregard for legislation designed to protect fish stocks is absolutely unacceptable. By preventing these Lobsters reaching maturity and spawning he has endangered the long-term sustainability of the fishery affecting the entire fishing community.  

“Fishing in Northumberland is an economically sensitive activity and of great social importance to our local heritage and character. Our byelaws in conjunction with national legislation, balance the social, environmental and economic needs of our stakeholders to promote healthy seas, sustainable fishing and a viable industry. To ensure this, NIFCA will vigorously pursue anyone who jeopardises the health of the fishery or fails to comply with our officers and legislation”.

FMPs have been developed nationally and include the Crab and Lobster FMP developed by Seafish and Defra. They aim to deliver sustainable fisheries in collaboration with the fishing industry (more information here) Fisheries management plans – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk), and will go to formal consultation in the coming months, which will include the chance to voice your views on the proposed measures.

Defra are considering new spatial management measures to provide additional resilience and protection for the North Sea sandeel stocks to reduce the impacts of industrial sandeel fishing on the wider ecosystem. They would like views from stakeholders on options for the future management of sandeels in UK waters. You can respond to this online via the link below, the consultation closes on 30^th May 2023.  Please contact the NIFCA office if any further information or assistance is required.

https://consult.defra.gov.uk/wg-management-measures-for-industrial-sandeel-fishing/consultation-on-spatial-management-measures-for-in/

Dear Fisher,

NIFCA in collaboration with Newcastle University are conducting a survey to gather views from potters in the NIFCA region on the national crab and lobster fisheries management plan which is due to be released to public consultation in early summer this year. One proposed measure in the plan that we are aware of is an increase in the minimum landing size of lobster from 87mm to 90mm. The full detail of the proposed FMP will be released at the point of consultation.

We would like to be as ready as possible for the consultation with a regional response that is inclusive of as many fishers as possible and so are seeking views on what should be included in the FMP and, more specifically, your opinion on the proposed increase MLS and how it might affect your fishing.

There are 2 surveys, a short one (5 minutes to complete) and a longer one (approx.. 30 minutes to complete), which covers a wider variety of issues that are relevant to fisheries management.

Please complete either of these (not both) and submit your findings at the below links.

Newcastle University will then process the data and produce a report summarising the views of fishers in this region, which will be available on the NIFCA website and presented back to fishers in person, through the NIFCA fisher forums (by end of April 2023).

All responses are completely anonymous and you cannot be identified by your response.

Please submit your response by 14^th April 2023 at which point the survey will close.

If you’d like an in-person or phone call interview to share your views, please email Sarah.coulthard@newcastle.ac.uk.

If you’ve spoken to Beth, Lauren or Sarah (from Newcastle University) about this already there’s no need to complete this survey as it’s the same questions.

Thank you for your time – it’s so important that fishers have a clear voice in the development of these plans.

Short Survey

https://newcastle.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/fmp-short-survey

Long Survey

https://newcastle.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/fmp-long-survey

NIFCA Dispensation Request Form

For more information on Bass Guidance please visit the Marine Management Organisation website HERE.