Couple from Newbiggin-by-the-Sea Convicted of Breaching Fisheries Legislation
On Thursday the 20th of November at the Quayside Law Courts in Newcastle, Magistrates found Mr Charles “Michael” Denton and Mrs Brenda Denton of Atlee Terrace, Newbiggin by the Sea guilty of breaching national and local fisheries legislation designed to regulate and protect key fisheries along the Northumberland coast.
This related to incidents in January 2025 when Mrs Denton’s fishing vessel was observed fishing without a permit and later found to be retaining prohibited shellfish.
The case was brought against Mr and Mrs 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, Howard Shaw of Park Square Barristers, prosecuting on behalf of NIFCA, informed the court that on the 16th of January 2025 Mrs Denton’s vessel the Andigee WY372 fishing from Blyth harbour, with her husband Michael acting as Master, was observed fishing within the NIFCA district using pots without a valid commercial shellfish permit.
On a joint sea patrol on the 17th of January, Enforcement Officers from NIFCA and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) inspected pots set by Mr Denton and found 174 lobsters that measured below the minimum conservation reference size of 87mm, one of which was egg bearing, deliberately stored inside for later collection.
The Enforcement Officers seized three illegally set fleets of gear comprising of 70 pots, one of these fleets, which also contained the stored undersize lobsters, was not displaying compulsory information on its surface markers.
Mr and Mrs Denton as Master and Owner of the Andigee have committed four offences:
- They failed to immediately return to the sea 174 European Lobsters contrary to Section 4 Article 13 of Council Regulation 2019/1241.
- They failed to return to the sea one berried European Lobster contrary to the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 in respect of UK Statutory Instrument 2017 No 899.
- They fished within the NIFCA district for specified shellfish without a commercial permit contrary to NIFCA Byelaw 4 Crustacea and Mollusc Permitting and Pot Limitation and Section 163 of the Marine and Coastal Access act 2009.
- They failed to display the Name, Port Letters and Number of their fishing boat on pots used to fish and store sea fish, contrary to NIFCA byelaw 5 Marking of Fishing Gear and Keep Pots and Section 163 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.
After hearing evidence from four NIFCA Enforcement Officers and one from the MMO, the Bench found Mr and Mrs Denton guilty of all four offences. Sentencing for the offending was adjourned to early 2026.
Previously, in March 2023, Mr Denton received a 12-month disqualification from holding a NIFCA permit after being prosecuted and fined by the Authority for retaining 179 undersize Lobsters and was convicted of failing to comply with Fisheries Officers in 2022. He also has numerous other convictions for various fisheries offences covering more than 25 years.
Nick Weir, Lead Enforcement Officer for NIFCA, stated: “The Authority believes the Denton’s complete disregard for legislation designed to protect fish stocks is unacceptable. Fishing in Northumberland is both economically significant and socially integral to our local heritage and identity.
“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.
“To this end, NIFCA is committed to taking appropriate action against any individuals who compromise the health of the fishery or fail to comply with our officers and relevant legislation. The Authority also extends its appreciation to our partners at the Marine Management Organisation for their assistance in this matter, as well as both Park Square Barristers and Andrew Jacksons Solicitors for their continued support.”
