A Hampshire boat owner faces a court bill of more than £34,000 after admitting to the taking of undersize shellfish.

In Portsmouth Magistrates Court  the Portsmouth-based company Viviers (UK) Ltd., as the owner of the fishing Vessel P11 Ask Me pleaded guilty to three offences relating to the taking and retention of undersize shellfish and the removal of oysters from a closed fishery.

At the same hearing Eric McLeod, 72 and his son Andrew McLeod, 49 as the owners of the Fishing vessel P936 El Barco, also each pleaded guilty to two separate fisheries offences relating to the taking and retention of undersize shellfish.

The Court heard how, on 3 December 2015, Fisheries Officers from the Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) inspected the fishing vessel P11 Ask Me at the Camber Dock, Portsmouth (adjacent to Viviers (UK) Ltd.) and found on board quantities of Manila Clams and American Hard Shelled Clams below the minimum size as well as a quantity of oysters which had been removed while the fishery was closed (due to the severe depletion of shellfish beds).

The Court also heard how, in a separate incident, on 5 January 2016 at Hamble, Southampton, Fisheries Officers inspected the fishing vessel P936 El Barco and found on board quantities of Manila Clams and American Hard Shelled Clams below the minimum size.

Mr Eric McLeod and Mr Andrew McLeod, owners of the fishing vessel P936 El Barco are also Directors of the company Viviers (UK) Ltd.

Viviers (UK) Ltd., Mr Eric McLeod and Mr Andrew McLeod were sentenced for both matters and all charges collectively.

In sentencing the District Judge took into account Viviers (UK) Ltd. prior convictions for illegal fishing activity, including offences in Wales and in Cornwall. Viviers (UK) Ltd. was ordered to pay £10,000 in fines and the total legal and investigative costs of £18,705.64.

Mr Eric McLeod and Mr Andrew McLeod were each ordered to pay £3000 in fines.

Fines and costs totalled £34,705.65.

At a separate, earlier hearing the masters of both P11 Ask Me and P936 El Barco were also ordered to pay a total of £3,000 in fines and costs for the same incident.

Commenting on the case Southern IFCA Deputy Chief Officer Ian Jones said “Minimum size legislation is an essential management tool to ensure that there is enough stock left on the grounds to support the fishery and the fishermen in the region that rely on them. Southern IFCA is committed to protecting these fisheries to ensure healthy seas, sustainable fisheries and a viable industry.

"This type of illegal activity puts legitimate operators at a disadvantage; by pursuing these matters vigorously through court we aim to support and protect the local fishery”.