The Angling Trust is concerned at the light sentence and is now urging the Marine and Fisheries Agency (MFA) to lodge an appeal.
John Brooks, the Cornish regional member on the Angling Trust marine committee and conservation group, says that in reality a conditional discharge is identified as a let off. He said: "In the past 18 months the MFA has had 22 major prosecutions in respect of the same or similar breaches of the regulations. These have resulted in fines totalling £2.63 million. This only compounds the decision in the Newlyn case and indicates the degree that the regulations are being abused."
The trust says that the "systemic abuse" comes at a time when European fish stocks are at an all time low and when sustainability is in serious question.
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN
Links:
- Angling Trust News: Anglers concerned at light sentence for commercial fishermen
- Angling Trust Petition for a review of the judgement passed against W Stevensons of Newlyn at Exeter Crown Court