The Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) has successfully prosecuted the skipper and owners of a fishing vessel for offences during two fishing trips in May and June 2018.
The skipper and owners of Pamela Jill BM-28 pleaded guilty at Bodmin Magistrates Court to two offences of using a vessel exceeding the 16.46 metre overall length limit to fish for scallops within the IFCA’s area of jurisdiction last summer. A further eight related charges were withdrawn, but they were read to the court as aggravating features. The magistrates handed down fines and costs totalling £15,411.
Cornwall IFCA used data from the satellite Vessel Monitoring System that all fishing vessels over 12 metres are required to have under European law, to determine that Pamela Jill was operating inside the Cornwall IFCA district. Analysis of the electronic log books and sales notes from the vessel, together with the VMS data, provided strong evidence of dredging for scallops within the district.
Fishing vessels targeting scallops in the district are restricted to a maximum overall length of 16.46 metres, but Pamela Jill is a significantly larger trawler at 26.15 metres. It was estimated that the value of the catch illegally removed from the district was approximately £6000.
The court heard that Pamela Jill had an Automatic Identification System fitted, which was not transmitting during times when the vessel was within the Cornwall IFCA district. Skipper Arthur Dewhirst did not explain to the court why this was the case.
‘Since 2016, Cornwall IFCA has used data from remote electronic monitoring systems in seven of its investigations to establish illegal fishing activity within the district,’ said Cornwall IFCA Principal Enforcement Officer Simon Cadman.
‘The strength of evidence it provided was essential to prove illegal fishing incidents had taken place out of plain sight from fishery authorities. Data produced by various monitoring systems has proven to be a vital tool for Cornwall IFCA to provide an effective enforcement regime in its district, together with the sea-going and land-based patrols carried out by its officers.
