Three Pembrokeshire men are to pay a total of almost £6,000 in fines and costs after pleading guilty yesterday (12 March, 2008) to illegally fishing with a net and taking undersized sewin (sea trout) and sea fish at Cardigan Magistrate’s Court.
The case was a joint prosecution brought by Environment Agency Wales and the South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee.
David Norman Gwyn Sneade of Newport, Pembrokeshire, Kenneth Raymond Townsend and Paul Ian Townsend, both of Letterston, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire pleaded guilty to four charges relating to illegal netting and taking undersized fish.
Each defendant was ordered to pay a fine of £1,400, costs of £500 and a £15 victim surcharge. The fish, net and box used were forfeited by the court.
While on routine patrol, Agency enforcement officers saw the three defendants deploying a seine net at Pwllgwaelod bay in the crook of Dinas Island, north of Fishguard, at 11.15pm, 31 May, 2007. After removing fish from the seine net, they deployed the net again at 00.15am the following morning.
They again removed fish from the net and placed them into a small box. The officers approached the three defendants and, after examining the contents, found 29 fish including the sea trout and sea fish.
The net used was of a mesh size and type usually used to catch herring and mackerel and written consent is required to use it. It is illegal to use it for any other purpose. This was also confiscated at the scene of the crime.
Allan Thomas, an enforcement officer for Environment Agency Wales, commented:
“These are serious offences with real consequences on fish stocks. The sewin are destined for rivers all along the south west like the Teifi and the Nevern.
“These rivers support historic fishing industries. Taking the sewin before they have a chance to spawn will damage future stocks and threaten the livelihood of commercial fishermen.
“As enforcement officers for the Agency, we use our local knowledge and any intelligence information we get to target specific areas where we know this type of activity goes on. You may not be able to see us, but we will be watching.
“We will take action against anyone fishing illegally. They not only threaten fish stocks in Welsh rivers, but also the livelihoods and traditions of licensed netsmen fishing upstream.”
Welcoming the court’s decision, Mark Stafford, Deputy Director of South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee, commented:
“Legitimate sea fishing activity is subject to comprehensive conservation regulations. These were ignored in this case, jeopardising both sea and migratory fish stocks.
“In similar circumstances we will not hesitate to combine with our colleagues in the Agency to bring offenders before the courts.”
The 29 fish taken as evidence
The illegal net used
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