A fisherman has been fined £1,500 after catching and keeping undersized black sea bream – prompting a reminder on the importance of sticking to rules “underpinning” the sustainability of Jersey’s fish stocks.
Frank Leverrier admitted the offence of catching fish below the minimum size when he appeared in the Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
It comes just weeks after two French fishermen were finished £1,500 each for retaining undersized spider crab onboard their boat.
Following the conviction, the Government’s Marine Resources team warned it took the “protection of juvenile fish and shellfish seriously”.
In a statement, they said: “Minimum size limits for fish and shellfish exist so that species can have the opportunity to reproduce.
“They are a key management measure underpinning the sustainability of our fish stocks.
“Marine Resources takes the protection of juvenile fish and shellfish seriously.
“It is therefore important that people adhere to the sizes.”
The minimum size for a black sea bream is 23cm measured from the tip of the snout to the extreme end of the tail fin.
Last month, Environment Minister Steve Luce told the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel that fishing activity was monitored “regularly”.
“We board boats and if there are any infractions, we take action,” he said.
The legal minimum size limits and other Jersey fisheries information can be found online.