A Northumberland couple have been prosecuted after breaching national and local fisheries legislation. Charles and Brenda Denton of Atlee Terrace, Newbiggin, were found guilty of four offences at Newcastle Magistrates' Court.
The court heard that on January 16, 2025, Mrs Denton's vessel the Andigee WY372 fishing from Blyth harbour, with her husband Michael acting as Master, was observed fishing within the Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority's (NIFCA) district using pots without a valid commercial shellfish permit.
On a joint sea patrol on January 17, enforcement officers from NIFCA and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) inspected pots set by Mr Denton and found 174 lobsters that measured below the minimum conservation reference size of 87mm, one of which was egg bearing, deliberately stored inside for later collection. The enforcement officers seized three illegally set fleets of gear comprising of 70 pots, one of these fleets, which also contained the stored undersize lobsters compulsory information on its surface markers.
After hearing evidence from four NIFCA enforcement officers and one from the MMO, Mr and Mrs Denton were found guilty of failing to immediately return 174 European lobsters to the sea; failing to return one berried European lobster to the sea; fishing within the NIFCA district for specified shellfish without a commercial permit; and failing to display the name, port letters and number of their fishing boat on pots used to fish and store sea fish. Sentencing will be adjourned to early 2026.
Previously, in March 2023, Mr Denton received a 12-month disqualification from holding a NIFCA permit after being prosecuted and fined by the authority for retaining 179 undersize lobsters and was convicted of failing to comply with Fisheries Officers in 2022. He also has numerous other convictions for various fisheries offences covering more than 25 years.
Nick Weir, lead enforcement officer for NIFCA, said: "The Authority believes the Denton's complete disregard for legislation designed to protect fish stocks is unacceptable. Fishing in Northumberland is both economically significant and socially integral to our local heritage and identity.
"Our byelaws, together with national legislation, are designed to balance the social, environmental, and economic interests of our stakeholders, supporting healthy marine environments, sustainable fishing practices, and a viable industry for future generations. To this end, NIFCA is committed to taking appropriate action against any individuals who compromise the health of the fishery or fail to comply with our officers and relevant legislation."