Reminder issued on the importance of draft net fishing quotas
A former salmon draft net licence holder has been found guilty of two breaches of fisheries legislation when he was found to be in possession of 13 untagged salmon in the boot of his vehicle.
Liam Whyte of Ardara, Co Donegal was convicted in relation to an illegal fishing incident which occurred on the 10th July 2017.
The case was first heard in Glenties District Court on the 27th February 2019 where Mr Whyte was convicted and fined €1,300 for possession of the salmon, and fined costs of €750.
In light of previous convictions the court imposed a sentence of three months imprisonment which was suspended for two years, on condition that there be no further convictions under the Fisheries Acts during that time.
Mr Whyte appealed the ruling to Donegal Circuit Court and the case was heard on the 14th March 2023.
As Mr Whyte had not come to the attention of the courts in the intervening period the court waived the three months suspended sentence and instead convicted Mr Whyte on two counts of breaches in fisheries legislation with fines amounting to €2,800, and costs of €979.63.
