Newbiggin couple receive fine and ban in fisheries prosecution
A Newbiggin couple have been sentenced for breaching fisheries legislation.
Charles Michael Denton and Brenda Denton appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on April 16.
Magistrates heard that on September 11, 2024, officers from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NIFCA) and Northumbria Police conducted a joint compliance patrol at the Port of Blyth following reports that the Andigee WY372 was repeatedly landing undersized shellfish.
Officers inspected and measured a total of 250 lobsters seized from the vessel. Of these, 248 were found to be undersized, 28 were egg-bearing, and two had mutilated tails. Only two lobsters were compliant with legislation.
The court heard that on January 17, 2025, officers from NIFCA and the MMO conducted inspections on static fishing gear in the NIFCA district set from the Andigee WY372, which was not permitted to fish at the time.
Officers seized 70 illegally set lobster pots that were not marked appropriately, and which were discovered to be storing 174 undersize lobsters one of which was egg-bearing.
The defendants were found guilty of the 2025 IFCA offences at a trial at Newcastle Magistrates Court in December 2025.
They entered guilty pleas on the day of last week’s trial to the 2024 MMO and IFCA offences, following which they were ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £6,060. They have also been disqualified from holding any IFC permit for 3 years and forfeited the 70 pots seized by NIFCA.
Sean Douglas, head of regulatory assurance at MMO, said: “We are pleased to have secured this intelligence-led prosecution in coordination with our local partners.
"This outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of our joint enforcement and sends a clear message that we will take firm action against those who break the rules protect our marine environment and fish and shellfish stocks for future generations. I would like to thank all the officers and teams involved in bringing this prosecution to a successful conclusion.”
Nick Weir, lead enforcement officer at NIFCA said: “NIFCA welcome the court’s decision to disqualify Mr and Mrs Denton from holding any IFCA permit along with the fines and forfeiture ordered, we agree with the court’s assessment of Mr and Mrs Denton’s “flagrant disregard” for fisheries legislation.”