Northumberland fishermen heavily fined for using illegal lobster pots
A pair of Holy Island fishermen have been heavily fined for breaching fisheries legislation.
Shaun Brigham and Richard Ward appeared for sentencing at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court.
The prosecution was brought by the Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NIFCA).
During a trial in December, magistrates were told that Mr Brigham and Mr Ward had fished with pots that were not affixed with the required tags stipulated in authority byelaws resulting in their seizure.
Monitoring systems data showed the defendant’s vessels, the Freedom B BK532 and Sophy Rose BK533, at the location of the gear in the days immediately prior to the seizure.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the offences, claiming a third party must have set the pots up to look like theirs and then placed them along their vessel’s tracks.
District Judge Meek found both defendants guilty, describing them and their witnesses in her judgement as “untruthful” in an “attempt to hide the defendants’ guilt.”
On April 28, both defendants pleaded guilty to four further offences discovered by NIFCA whilst the pair were under investigation in 2025.
District Judge Meek heard that on August 19 and October 15 last year, two fleets of lobster pots were seized by NIFCA in the Holy Island area that were not correctly identified and did not have the required commercial permit tags attached. Again, monitoring system data showed the defendants vessel attending the gear immediately prior to its seizure.
Judge Meek sentenced Shaun Brigham to pay fines and costs of £28,842 and Richard Ward £26,425.
She stated that she had given serious consideration to disqualifying the defendants from holding NIFCA permits however had taken into consideration the impact such a disqualification would have on the Holy Island community.
Nick Weir, NIFCA lead enforcement officer, said: “NIFCA welcomes the court’s sentencing in this case. Shaun Brigham and Richard Ward deliberately and repeatedly breached legislation designed to protect vital local shellfish stocks for their own financial gain.
“What is particularly concerning is that these offences continued even while they were under investigation, showing a clear disregard for both the law and the sustainability of the marine environment.”