Both defendants in the case entered guilty pleas.
Tranquillity BF7 LLP was fined a total of £12,000, ordered to pay £1,050 in costs and a £170 victim surcharge.
Mr Johnstone was fined £6,800, ordered to pay £1,050 in costs and a £170 victim surcharge.
An MMO spokesperson said “The technical measures put in place in these areas are essential to the protection of juvenile fish. They are afforded extra layers of protection as scientific evidence shows these areas are at greater risk of overfishing. It is also important that Elogs are completed accurately to ensure that quotas can be properly managed.”
“When this is not the case the MMO will always take the appropriate action, including prosecution, to ensure offenders do not benefit from such illegal activity and to protect fish stocks for the wider fishing industry and future generations. In this case, the court has clearly identified these offences as potentially serious infringements, and the level of penalties imposed reflects this.”
