When inspectors took a look at the catch on board Andigee WY-372, following up reports of undersized shellfish being landed, they found only two of the boat’s entire catch were legal.
Of the 250 lobsters inspected by officers from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NIFCA) and Northumbria Police at the Port of Blyth, 248 were undersized, 28 were berried and two had mutilated tails. A subsequent inspection some months later found that 70 traps improperly marked and illegally set by Andigee, which was not allowed to fish at that time, and 174 undersized lobsters were found.
Anginee’s owner Brenda Denton and skipper Charles Michael Denton from Newbiggin-by-the-Sea were found guilty of the 2025 IFCA offences at a trial at Newcastle Magistrates Court in December 2025. They entered guilty pleas on the day of trial to the 2024 MMO and IFCA offences at North Tyneside Magistrates Court on 16th April 2026, following which they were sentenced on the same date for a variety of offences.
‘NIFCA welcome the court’s decision to disqualify Mr and Mrs Denton from holding any IFC permit along with the fines and forfeiture ordered, we agree with the courts assessment of Mr and Mrs Denton’s “flagrant disregard” fisheries legislation,’ commented NIFCA Lead Enforcement Officer Nick Weir
‘Joint operations such as these show NIFCA’s commitment to promoting healthy seas, sustainable fishing, and a viable industry whilst vigorously pursuing anyone who jeopardises the health of the fishery. NIFCA would like to thank our partners at the Marine Management Organisation along with Park Square Barristers and Andrew Jackson Solicitors for their ongoing support.’
The defendants received proportionate fines and costs totalling £6060. They have also been disqualified from holding any IFC permit for three years and forfeited the 70 pots seized by NIFCA.
‘We are pleased to have secured this intelligence-led prosecution in coordination with our local partners,’ said Sean Douglas, Head of Regulatory Assurance at MMO.
‘This outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of our joint enforcement and sends a clear message that we will take firm action against those who break the rules protect our marine environment and fish and shellfish stocks for future generations. I would like to thank all the officers and teams involved in bringing this prosecution to a successful conclusion.’
