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Trial for fisherman accused of catching shellfish without 'valid pot tags'

52-year-old denies two offences

A fisherman from Douglas will stand trial after being accused of fishing for crab and lobster in Manx waters without appropriate permission.

Shayne Forrester, of Farvane Close, denied two offences of having no valid pot tags during an appearance at Douglas Courthouse.

The court was told the 52-year-old’s vessel ‘Enigma’ had allegedly been catching the shellfish in Manx waters on 14 June.

Seventy-six of the pots being reportedly used didn’t have suitable escape hatches, 44 were said to have incorrect tags and 73 had none at all.

This, the prosecutor said, resulted in 123 illegally caught shellfish being returned to the sea by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture on environmental grounds.

A pre-trial review will take place on 16 January next year; bail continues until that date.

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