October 29th, 2008
2 Recent cases highlight the severe penalties dished out to illegal drift netters in the Southern Region
The Southern Regional Fisheries Board successfully prosecuted Mr James Whitty, Crooke, Passage East, Co. Waterford at a sitting of Waterford District Court on June 6th, 2008 on charges relating to the use of a net for the taking of salmon and the use of a boat to aid in the commission of the offences. Judge Elizabeth McGrath fined Mr Whitty €200 and held his boat forfeit and also sentenced Mr Whitty to 3 Months in prison, suspended. Costs and expenses of €1451.15 were also awarded to the Board.
At a sitting of Youghal District Court in October 23rd, Mr Vincent O Brien, Knockadoon, Ballymacoda, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to charges brought by the Southern Regional Fisheries Board in relation to illegal drift net fishing for salmon. Judge Terence Finn, in delivering judgement, noted the seriousness of the charges in view of the Governments recently rolled out Salmon Hardship scheme and Community Support Scheme for ex salmon fishing licence holders and crew members. In fining Mr O Brien €1600, holding the Boat and the Net forfeit and awarding costs to the Southern Regional Fisheries Board of €736 he noted that the level of the fines set in legislation were nolonger appropriate for the seriousness of the charges.
Southern Regional Fisheries Board Assistant CEO Suzanne Campion said “that it is now clear that the illegal killing of Salmon is no longer socially acceptable and it is a pity that our natural heritage is being destroyed by a few unscrupulous individuals. The staff of the Southern Regional Fisheries Board work tirelessly to detect, deter and combat illegal fishing while ensuring that the resource is protected, conserved, promoted and developed.”
ENDS
For further information please contact Suzanne Campion, Southern Regional Fisheries Board, Anglesea Street, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
(052)6180055, (087) 2690183 or scampion@srfb.ie
The Southern Regional Fisheries Board is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and was established under the Fisheries Act 1980.