Thank you to Oliver Dyer and The County Press for the Headline
Two men were caught illegally dredging for scallops in the prohibited area of the South Wight in March 2026, the resulting court case has meant the two fishermen have been fined over £4700 after admitting the offence at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on October the 7th this year.
The evidence submitted included footage gathered by a drone equipped with a camera, laser range finder and GPS by the Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority which showed the men contravened the bottom towed fishing gear Byelaw. The men’s vessel had dredged in the excluded area for two hours and 21 minutes and gathered a catch of 645kg scallops valued at around £1161.
So it has proved an expensive fishing trip. Not to mention the damage done to the local environment.
Namaste and thank you for reading.
