The master of a fishing vessel has been fined £25,000 for fishing illegally in Manx waters.

Dinars Lugans, of Lincoln, master of the fishing vessel Prosperity FD 537, appeared in court on this week and pleaded guilty to retaining whelk under the minimum landing size.

Lugans was fined £25,000 and £125 in costs. His catch, valued at approximately £3,500 was forfeited.

On December 11, Prosperity FD 537 was boarded by government sea fishery officers while out at sea.

On inspection, 93 bags of whelk were found on board, and within a selected sample of this catch, more than 64% of the product was recorded as being under the legal 75mm minimum landing size.

The minimum size is intended to ensure Whelk are able to breed successfully, which is a key part of protecting the long term sustainability of the fish stocks.