Scottish skipper fined after being caught in closed area

Saturday, 3 December 2016 00:00

A Scottish fisherman has been fined £5,000 after being caught fishing in a closed area of Manx waters.

Enforcement officers from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture spotted the 'Saturnus' dredging for King Scallops at the Point of Ayre on Tuesday.

Skipper Ian McClelland appeared at Douglas Courthouse two days later where he admitted the offence.

McClelland, who did have a licence to fish in open areas, told the court he'd been confused by the licence conditions and descriptions of closed areas.

Magistrates also ordered him to pay £50 in costs and to forfeit his catch.

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