Illegal Cockle Fishing.

On Monday 11^th February 2008, at Kendal Magistrates Court, Mr David Lee Rigby of Connah's Quay, Flintshire was found guilty of illegal cockle fishing and obstructing a Sea Fisheries Officer.

Although Mr Rigby failed to appear at court (for the third time), the Bench decided to proceed with the case in his absence.

The bench heard that on 17^th September 2007 Fishery Officers of the North Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee were patrolling the cockle beds off Humphrey Head, Flookburgh (Cumbria) and found Mr Rigby to be fishing without a valid Byelaw 5 permit. During interview he provided false personal details. During 3 further patrols on the 18^th , 20^th and 26^th September 2007, Mr Rigby was found to be fishing without a Byelaw 5 permit and again provided false personal details. His true identity was eventually established through joint agency working with Cumbria Constabulary.

The bench found Mr Rigby guilty on 3 charges of fishing contrary to Byelaw 5, and 3 charges of obstruction. He was fined £200 for each charge totalling £1200. Full costs of £995 were also awarded and a £15 surcharge.

Principal Fishery Officer Martyn Boyce said: "Byelaw 5 states quite clearly that everyone active in the commercial cockle fishery must hold a valid permit, therefore those persons who deliberately flout fisheries regulation can expect to prosecuted. The Byelaw 5 permit scheme has been in force since February 2007, and its principle aims are to reduce the number of itinerant cockle gathers, improve safety standards and generally raise the level of professionalism within the industry. During the current cockle season we have seen a marked reduction in the numbers of gatherers working in Morecambe Bay, and the current numbers will further reduce year on year. New legislation is required if we are to achieve our stated goal of properly managed intertidal fisheries. I believe that the impending re-organisation of inshore fisheries management through the Marine Bill, and the proposed Regulating Order for Morecambe Bay that is currently being developed, will both help to deliver a level of intertidal fishing which is in harmony with fish stocks and social expectations."