Fisherman fined over illegal catch

A fisherman has been fined more than £12,000 for not having a valid fishing licence.

Skipper Christopher Thomson was last week found fishing for queen scallops without a valid licence in Manx waters. 

As it was unlicensed the vessel was targeted for enforcement action by officers from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture's fisheries protection unit. 

Thomson claims he was new to the vessel having only taken command of it two days earlier and was told by the previous owners that it has a valid licence. 

The licence had actually expired on the sale of the vessel and the new owners had not applied for a new one. 

Thomson was fined £12,000 and £50 costs as well as ordered to forfeit has catch of queen scallops worth £4,596.