On Monday 18 January at Folkestone Magistrates Court, Stephen Edwards, Director of the Wet Fish Shop in Whitstable, pleaded guilty to 13 offences (a further 118 having been taken into consideration) of buying first-sale fish without being registered under the Registration of Buyers and Sellers legislation.
Mr Edwards was fined a total of £4,615, which included contribution to costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Those buying or selling first-sale fish direct from a vessel or through an agent (that is other than by competitive bidding from a registered seller by auction at a designated auction site) must have up-to-date registration.
An MFA spokesman said “If in doubt, your local MFA office can advise on how to register, and when it is necessary to do so.”
