Scallop Fishing in a Closed Area.
On Wednesday 16th January 2008, at Caernarfon Magistrates Court, commercial fisherman Mr Alwyn Jones of Bangor, Gwynedd was found guilty of scallop fishing in a closed area off the North Llyn Peninsula.
The bench heard that Fishery Officers of the North Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee had been investigating alleged illegal fishing in an area closed to scallop dredging in the Pen Ll
ŷn a’r Sarnau Special Area of Conservation. On the 26th May 2007, Fishery Officers boarded the fishing vessel "Angharad" BS7 whilst it was fishing inside the closed area. Skipper Jones claimed that his highly accurate satellite navigation equipment was faulty and that he had been relying on the old fashioned and less accurate DECCA system. He also claimed to be steaming through the area to access scallops beds adjacent to the closed area.In court, prosecution evidence showed that the DECCA system had in fact been switched off in year 2000, and that any DECCA co-ordinates displayed on current navigation systems were merely a computation of data received through the satellite system. The court also heard that damage to such a highly sensitive site by fishing activity could ultimately result in infraction proceedings against the United Kingdom Government by the European Commission and a large fine for failing to protect a European protected site known as a Special Area of Conservation.
The court accepted his guilty plea. They imposed a fine of £1000 and awarded £200 costs.
Principal Fishery Officer Martyn Boyce said: "The North Llyn Marine Protected Area was set up by the NWNWSFC on the advice of CCW that the area contained some of the best UK examples of rare reefs of the Horse mussel (Modiolus modiolus). The reefs would be destroyed if heavy towed fishing gear such as scallop dredges was dragged across them. While damaging fishing gear is prohibited within the MPA more benign fishing methods such as potting and angling can continue.
Mr Jones is a member of the NWNWSFC. He has represented the scallop sector at a number of meetings to discuss the reasons for the closed areas around the Ll
ŷn Peninsula so he very well aware of the restrictions.This flagrant breach of a Byelaw condition does little to support a hard pressed inshore fishing industry who are attempting to work with other agencies in finding solutions to resolve conflicting needs within the marine environment.
I am also grateful for the assistance given by the Countryside Council for Wales during the investigative phase of this case."