Compliance Outcomes: Sanctions and Prosecutions
Where compliance is not achieved and a breach of legislation has been identified, there are a number of different enforcement actions that may be applied, depending on the severity of the offence. Verbal Warnings, Advisory Letters and Official Warning Letters may be issued for less serious offences, whereas more serious fisheries offences may result in Cautions, Financial Administrative Penalties* (FAPs) and Prosecutions. For more detail see the Compliance and Enforcement Framework .
*Since 6th April 2011, IFCAs have had the option to issue a Financial Administrative Penalty (FAP) as an alternative to a criminal prosecution. The Authority may consider issuing a FAP based on a number of factors, and where the offence may be classed as a ‘penalty offence’. See the full guidance here: Southern IFCA FAP Guidance.
Recent enforcement outcomes:
12th August 2026 - Fisherman ordered to pay £15,000 for a breach of Southern IFCA’s Bottom Towed Gear Fishing Gear Byelaw in Southampton Water
On Wednesday 12th August 2026 at Southampton Magistrates Court, Ryan Tyers pleaded guilty to not having all parts of his bottom towed fishing gear inboard and above the sea, in contravention of the Southern Inshore Fishing & Conservation Authority (IFCA) Bottom Towed Fishing Gear (BTFG) Byelaw 2023, which requires a person using a vessel which is carrying bottom towed gear within a prohibited area to have all parts of that gear inboard and above the sea.
The Southern IFCA BTFG Byelaw 2023 protects designated features of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) via year-round spatial prohibitions to BTFG, which in this instance were protecting the designated features of both the Solent Maritime Special Area of Conservations (SAC) and the Solent and Southampton Water Special Protection Area (SPA).
Commercial dredging for clams is permitted outside of the prohibited area between Calshot Spit and Fawley Oil Refinery under the authorisation of a Solent Dredge Permit Byelaw Category A Permit issued by the Southern Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority. This remains an important bivalve fishery for the local fishing fleet.
The court heard how on Monday the 29th and Tuesday the 30th of December 2025, GPS tracks recorded by the Inshore Vessel Monitoring System (I-VMS), showed the fishing vessel SU432 Graylin persistently travelling up to 247 metres inside an area prohibited under the BTFG Byelaw 2023, at speeds consistent with dredging activity.
This activity was corroborated on the morning of Tuesday the 30th of December 2025, when officers from the Southern IFCA conducted a drone flight from Calshot. Using the drone’s camera, smart tracker, laser range finder and integrated mapping, the officers could clearly see the fishing vessel SU432 Graylin towing a clam dredge below the surface of the water, well inside the prohibited area.
SU432 Graylin was subsequently met by officers on return to its berth. On board the vessel was approximately 160kg of manila clams. Further enquiries revealed that an additional 245kg of manila clams were landed the previous day on Monday the 29th of December 2025. Mr. Tyers, the owner and master of SU432 Graylin, pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay costs and fines totalling £15,000.
David Mayne - Senior Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Officer, said:
“This case sends a clear message that breaches of Southern IFCA’s Bottom Towed Fishing Gear Byelaw 2023 will be dealt with robustly. Southern IFCA remains committed to protecting the local fisheries and marine environment across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight, to ensure healthy seas, sustainable fisheries and a viable industry.
This case demonstrates the value and use of new technologies, such as drones and Inshore Vessel Monitoring Systems, which are invaluable in monitoring and controlling activity within Marine Protected Areas. By utilising these new technologies and taking offenders to court we aim to support law abiding commercial operators.
I would like to publicly thank the IFCA’s officers and prosecution team for their hard work in bringing this case to court.”
23rd April 2026 - Poole Shellfish Hand Gatherer Pleads Guilty to Failure to Comply Offences
On Thursday 23 rd April 2026 at Poole Magistrates Court, Justin Butler pleaded guilty to failing, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a direction reasonably given by an Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Officer (IFCO) from the Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA).
Charges were laid by the Southern IFCA and Mr. Butler was ordered to pay costs and fines totalling £3,764.
The Court heard how on 22 nd August 2024, whilst IFCOs were undertaking a patrol at Lytchett Bay Nature Reserve, Poole, they discovered a vehicle in Shore Lane which contained fish boxes and net shellfish bags, suspected to belong to shellfish hand gatherers.
The IFCOs made their way on foot to Lytchett Bay where they saw two individuals hand gathering out on the mud in the northeastern part of the bay. The IFCOs could not reach the hand gatherers safely, due to deep mud channels, so returned to Shore Lane to await their return.
At approximately 20:45, two males returned. Upon seeing the IFCOs, one male fled the scene back into the Nature Reserve. The other male, now known to be Mr. Butler, remained next to the vehicle.
Mr. Butler was carrying a bag of shellfish which was estimated to be 10kg in weight. The shellfish were mainly Manila clams mixed with cockles. The IFCOs explained that they were from the Southern IFCA and wished to inspect the catch to check for compliance with the minimum conservation reference size. A sample was taken and 10% were found to be below the legal-size limit.
Mr. Butler told the IFCOs that he had gathered the shellfish for personal consumption and denied being the owner or associated with the vehicle. During the inspection and following detection of the undersize shellfish, the IFCOs gave numerous opportunities for Mr. Butler to provide his name and address. He repeatedly declined, despite being warned that it was an offence to fail to comply with a requirement or direction reasonably given by an Enforcement Officer.
This exchange was recorded on body worn video camera and was subsequently shown to the Court.
Mr. Butler was issued a verbal warning in relation to the removal of undersized shellfish and told that attempts would be made to establish his identity. Subsequently, on Thursday 12th September 2024, IFCOs attended the address of the registered keeper of the vehicle located at the scene, along with Dorset Police. The IFCOs immediately recognised and identified Mr. Butler as being the individual that had failed to provide his details on 22nd August 2024.
Principal Deputy Chief Officer Sam Dell at Southern IFCA said :
“This case sends a clear message that failing to comply with the Authority’s IFCOs will not be tolerated. The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 gives our officers common enforcement powers to conduct inspections. It provides robust legislation to support officers in carrying out their role. The Southern IFCA is committed to protecting local fisheries and the marine environment across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight, to ensure healthy seas and a viable industry.
Southern IFCA is publicly funded and the extra time and resource it takes to deal with incidents like this puts an additional strain on public resources. This case could have been completely avoided if Mr Butler had complied with the officers in the first instance.
Finally, by taking offenders to court we aim to support legitimate operators. I would like to publicly thank the officers involved in this case and recognise their tenacious approach in pursing all lines of enquiry during this investigation. I would also like to extend that thanks to Dorset Police who provided assistance in establishing Mr. Butler’s identity”
4th September 2024 - Poole Fisherman Pleads Guilty to Retention of Undersized Clams
On Wednesday 4th September 2024 at Poole Magistrates Court, fisherman Luke James pleaded guilty to retaining on board his fishing vessel a quantity of manila clams that were below the minimum conservation reference size, and to failing to submit monthly catch returns to the Southern Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority within stipulated deadlines.
Charges were laid by the Southern IFCA and Mr. James was ordered to pay costs and fines totalling £9,093.10.
The court heard how on 21st October 2023, Mr. James was intercepted by officers who were aboard the Southern IFCA Fisheries Patrol Vessel Endeavour in the River Frome. Mr. James was driving his fishing vessel PE1218 Elmay downstream. Retained on board his vessel were between approximately 165kg of manila clams. An inspection of the catch revealed that an average of 42% of the manila clams were below the minimum conservation reference size of 35mm. Mr. James initially explained to officers that he had picked up most of the catch from a friend at Wareham Quay. Scant contact details for the friend were provided and subsequent Southern IFCA enquiries, involving the seizure of CCTV evidence, proved that the details and account given by Mr. James were fictitious. Mr. James later admitted fabricating the story and confirmed that he had caught the manila clams earlier that day in the Wareham Channel, Poole Harbour.
The court also heard how Mr. James had been late submitting his Southern IFCA monthly catch returns during the 2023 Poole Harbour dredge fishing season (open to permit holders 25th May to 23rd December inclusive). Mr. James was charged in relation to late submissions for the months of October and November 2023.The monthly catch returns provide the Southern IFCA with important information, including the dates, times, location, quantities and type of species caught within the harbour, enabling the IFCA to monitor stock levels and manage the fishery sustainably.
As the master and sole owner of fishing vessel PE1218 Elmay, Mr. Luke James was fined £1800 for his breach of the minimum conservation reference size regulations and £500 for his breach of the Southern IFCA Poole Harbour Dredge Permit Byelaw and conditions. He was ordered to pay the full £5,873.10 prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of £920, making a total of £9,093.10 for all fines and costs.
When asked to comment, Principal Deputy Chief Officer Sam Dell said, “This case sends a clear message that failing to comply with the regulations will not be tolerated. I would like to publicly thank the officers involved in this case and recognise their tenacious approach in pursing all lines of enquiry during this investigation. The Southern IFCA is committed to the protection of our shellfish stocks and coastal fisheries, ensuring healthy seas and a viable industry. By taking offenders to court we aim to support a sustainable local fishery.”
29th November 2023 - Poole Fishermen Plead Guilty to Taking a Quantity of Undersized Cockles
On Wednesday 29 th November 2023 at Poole Magistrates Court, Poole fishermen Andrew Skinner & Reginald Skinner, pleaded guilty to taking a quantity of undersized cockles from Poole Harbour, contrary to prohibition (4) of the Fishing for Cockles Byelaw of the Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (Southern IFCA) and section 163 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. Charges were laid by the Southern IFCA and both fishermen were ordered to pay costs and fines totalling £6,456.00.
The court heard how during the morning of Tuesday 13 th June 2023, Andrew Skinner was inspected by officers at Fisherman’s Dock, Poole Quay. Mr. Skinner was in possession of 7 bags of cockles and 7 bags of manila clams, which he confirmed had been caught using the fishing vessel Lula Bon PE892 in Poole Harbour. Lula Bon is jointly owned by Andrew Skinner and his father Reginald Skinner.
An inspection of the catch followed. Officers found that the manila clams landed by Mr. Skinner were mainly compliant with the minimum conservation reference size of 35mm. However, based on samples removed for measuring, 33.86% of the cockles were undersized; passing through a gauge having a square opening measuring 23.8mm along each side. The total weight of all shellfish landed by Mr. Skinner was approximately 390kg.
As joint owners of the vessel both Andrew Skinner and Reginald Skinner were liable for the breach of regulations. Each were fined £1200.00 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £1,548.00 and a surcharge of £480.00.
When asked to comment, Deputy Chief Officer Sam Dell said, “This case sends a clear message that failing to comply with the Authority’s regulations will not be tolerated. The Southern IFCA is committed to the protection of our fish stocks and coastal fisheries, ensuring healthy seas and a viable industry. By taking offenders to court we aim to support a sustainable local fishery.”
7th June 2022 - Viviers (UK) Ltd Pleads Guilty to Storing Undersized Clams
On Tuesday 7 th June 2022 at Portsmouth Magistrates Court, Viviers (UK) Ltd., Fish and Shellfish Merchants, Camber Docks, Gunwharf Road, Portsmouth, pleaded guilty to 3 counts of storing undersized shellfish on their premises. Charges were laid by the Southern Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority and Viviers (UK) Ltd. were ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £10,946.00.
For the offence committed on 16 th December 2021 the court issued Viviers (UK) Ltd. with a fine of £2000. In relation to the offences committed on 16 th December 2021 - the company were fined £4000, for storing undersized manila clams, and £750 for undersized American Hard-Shelled clams. They were also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £4006 and a victim surcharge of £190, making the total of all fines & costs £10,946.
4th May 2022 - Poole Fishermen Plead Guilty to Retention of Undersized Clams
On Wednesday 4 th May 2022 at Poole Magistrates Court, Poole fishermen Andrew Skinner & Reginald Skinner, pleaded guilty to retaining on board their fishing vessel, Lula Bon PE892, a quantity of manila clams that measured below the minimum conservation reference size.
Charges were laid by the Southern Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority (Southern IFCA) and both men were ordered to pay costs and fines totalling £4,094.00. As joint owners of the vessel both Andrew Skinner and Reginald Skinner were liable for the breach of regulations. Each were fined £800.00 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £1,167.00 and a victim surcharge of £80.00.
27th January 2022 - Poole fisherman found guilty of Failure to Comply offences
On Thursday 27 th January 2022 at Poole Magistrates Court, Poole fisherman Geoffrey Bennett was found guilty of failing without reasonable excuse to comply with a direction reasonably given by Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Officers from the Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (Southern IFCA).
At court Mr. Bennett said that he had not seen the officers or heard their directions. He told the court that he needed to get away in a hurry because of the poor weather conditions and the risk of damage to his boat if he left it there. The court did not find Mr. Bennett’s account credible and he was found guilty of two charges of Failing to Comply with officers. Mr. Bennett was fined £6,000, ordered to pay prosecution costs of £10,000 and a victim surcharge of £180.
For more updates on Compliance Outcomes visit our News Page.
Compliance Statistics
Between April 2024 and March 2025, Southern IFCA carried out a total of 61 vessel patrols at sea and 125 shore patrols on land. During the 61 patrols at sea, a total of 175 vessel boardings were carried out, for the purpose of conducting inspections. A total of 140 landing inspections and 29 premises inspections were carried out during the 125 shore patrols.
In cases of minor breaches of legislation, a total of 28 Verbal Warnings or Advisory Letters were issued. However, for more serious breaches of legislation, a total of 20 case files were generated. These investigations resulted in 11 Official Written Warning Letters, 4 Financial Administrative Penalties (FAPS) being issued and 1 case resulted in prosecution.
