This was one of many alleged attacks by this particular boat on creels set in upper Loch Fyne. Over the past five years creel boat operator Alistair Sinclair has lost creels amounting to over £30,000 in value.
Yesterday, Sheriff Leslie at Dunoon Sheriff Court heard Mr Richard Johnston Jnr admit the offence and fined him £400.
Captain Allan Marsh, MCA Enforcement Officer said:
The MCA are satisfied at the outcome and hope that trawler skippers see that failure to keep a proper lookout which resulted in catching creel marker lines not only caused loss and damage to the creel operator but posed a serious risk of danger to the trawler if the lines had snagged in the propeller. There is also a significant danger to the crew of the trawler as they cut free creels and lines which they have snagged.
