A Scottish fishing boat skipper has been fined ?15,000 after breaching Manx regulations on king scallops.
The Tobrach-N was routinely boarded by sea fisheries officers from the fisheries protection vessel Barrule on Monday while fishing off the Island’s west coast.
The officers found the vessel was employing eight dredges per side - the maximum number permitted in Manx waters is seven per side.
The diameter of the vessel’s tow bar was also larger than that permitted under Manx regulations.
The vessel was escorted to Peel, where it was detained.
On Thursday skipper of the Tobrach-N Gary Nicholson appeared before the Deputy High Bailiff and admitted two breaches of Manx regulations relating to king scallop fishing.
He was fined a total of ?15,000 plus ?125 costs and ordered that the catch, worth ?5,423, be forfeited.
DEFA Minister Richard Ronan says he hopes a strong message is sent out that the Isle of Man is committed to the protection and development of stocks of shellfish within its territorial waters, and is vigilant of illegal fishing activity.