A County Armagh man has been £1,250 for fishing offences.
Nicholas Harper was convicted in his absence by Craigavon Magistrates’ Court.
Among the offences committed were exceeding the bag limit of four coarse fish per day, taking coarse fish over 25cm, possession of undersized trout, fishing by unlicensed and unfair means and possession of fish of unlawful capture (salmon and trout).
The 60-year-old, of Ashfield Manor, Portadown, was found guilty of five breaches of the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 and was fined £1,250 along with an offender levy of £15.
Court heard on October 12 last year, DAERA Fisheries Protection Officers were on routine patrol of the River Bann in an area known as the Point of Whitecoat.
There they found Harper fishing and had in his possession were under size brown trout, coarse fish over the permitted size of 25cm and a number of coarse fish which exceeded the daily limit of four and using an unpermitted bait.
The total fine of £1,265 consisted of fines of £250 for each offence along with an offender levy of £15.
The defendant was given 20 weeks to pay.
A departmental spokesperson said afterwards: “DAERA Inland Fisheries enforcement is committed to pursue those who have a detrimental effect on fish stocks.
“If you are aware or suspect illegal fishing, you should contact DAERA Inland Fisheries on 0300 200 7860 or outside office hours contact 0800 807 060.”
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