Successful prosecutions as a result of Marine Scotland enforcement action: EIR release

Information requested

Details of all successful prosecutions there have been as a result of Marine Scotland enforcement action in EACH of the calendar years 2022, 2023 and so far in 2024. Please break the figures down to show the month and year of each prosecution, a brief description of the offence and the resulting sanction (i.e. fine, sentence etc.).

For reference, I am hoping Marine Scotland can provide the information in the same format as provided here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/marine-and-fisheries-compliance-enforcementactivity/pages/2017-present

Response

Below is the information you requested.

2022

• In April 2022 at Stornoway Sheriff Court a male was convicted of deploying fishing gear in the Wester Ross Marine Protected Area and was fined £3211.43.
• In March 2022 at Glasgow Sheriff Court a company was convicted on two counts of failure to submit Buyer Sales Notes and was fined £6000 and £8000.
• In October 2022 at Peterhead Sheriff Court a male was found guilty of a net offence and a boarding ladder offence, and was fined £2075.

2023

• In June 2023 at Peterhead Sheriff Court a male was convicted of logbook offences and was fined £1250.
• In November 2023 at Lochgilphead Justice of the Peace Court a male pled guilty to the deployment of fishing gear in the Loch Sween Marine Protected Area and was fined £2625 plus a victim surcharge of £175.
• In April 2023 at Peterhead Sheriff Court a male pled guilty to failing to submit electronic logbook data and was fined £2,500.
• In July 2023 at Aberdeen Sheriff Court a male was convicted a net offence and was fined £2,000 plus a victim surcharge of £75. In relation to a further charge of a net offence a not guilty plea was accepted.
• In November 2023 at Stornoway Sheriff Court a male pled guilty to failing to submit FISH1 forms and was fined £1000.
• In October 2023 at Peterhead Sheriff Court a male pled guilty to a logbook offence and was fined £2,000.
• In October 2023 at Peterhead Sheriff Court a male pled guilty to breaching the landing obligation and was fined £3,000.

2024 to date

• In March 2024 at Inverness Sheriff Court a male pled guilty to deploying fishing gear in the Wester Ross Marine Protected Area and was fined £2075.
• In March 2024 at Stornoway Sheriff Court a male pled guilty to a net offence and was given a Community Payback Order.
• In April 2024 at Wick Sheriff Court a male pled guilty to the deployment of fishing gear in the Noss Head Marine Protected Area and was fined £5,000.
• In September 2024 at Inverness Sheriff Court a male pled guilty to fishing in the Rockall Haddock box and was fined £2500.

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