A Spanish trawler skipper who was fined £140,000 following the discovery of a secret fish compartment on his vessel, failed to have the fine reduced by the Court of Criminal Appeal yesterday. Mr Don McCarthy, counsel for the State, said the court should take "a very serious view" of this flouting of regulations which were made to assist in the overall conservation and proper exploitation of Irish fish stocks.
Jose E.L. Urresti, Master of the fishing boat, Pescamar, had pleaded guilty of failing to have on board correct drawings of the boat's fish rooms when it was detained on April 3rd this year.
Cork Circuit Court on June 17th last imposed a fine of £140,000, together with £2,500 for legal costs. It also ordered that fish valued at £4,000 and gear valued at £7,500 be confiscated.