The skipper of an Irish fishing vessel was fined ?7,500 plus ?125 costs by the High Bailiff at a special court in Douglas last Friday.

The man was caught fishing for white fish 10 miles south west of chicken rock.

His ship, The Endeavour, was boarded by inspectors who found 52 boxes of haddock and smaller quantities of other species.

The skipper pleaded guilty to the offence but said he wouldn't have knowingly breached regulations.

He said despite having a map of permitted fishing areas, he'd been confused as to where he was allowed to fish.

High Bailiff Michael Moyle noted the man's guilty plea, but took the opportunity to say fishing in prohibited areas was a serious offence which carried a fine of up to ?50,000.

Picture: Chicken rock lighthouse