On 7th February 2022 at Lancaster Magistrates, Mr Daniel Bell of Warren Grove, Heysham was found guilty in absence and ordered to pay a combined total of £3,000 for fishing within Heysham Bass Nursery Area.
A byelaw banning fishing and possession of fishing gear within Heysham Bass Nursery Area was introduced in 2013 to protect the juvenile stocks of sea bass which gather in the warm waters of the power station outflows.
On the morning of 16th November 2021 Mr Bell was caught fishing by fisheries enforcement officers within the closed area of Heysham Bass Nursery Area. In the afternoon, Mr Bell returned to the area to continue fishing and was intercepted by Inshore Fishery and Conservation Officers attempting to flee the area having discarded his fishing gear.
Mr Bell was ordered to pay a fine of £500 for the morning offence and a fine of £500 for the afternoon offence, costs of £1,850 and a victim surcharge of £150.
Joseph Moulton, Head of Enforcement said:
“We welcome the guilty verdict however our efforts to enforce the closure will continue. Over the last three years over £12,500 in fines, fixed administrative penalties and costs have been issued for fishing within Heysham Bass Nursery Area. I hope that this will act as a deterrent to others thinking of fishing within the closed area.”