A County Antrim poacher was convicted today (Monday, 3 April 2023) for a number of fishing offences and fined a total of £515, which included a £15 offender levy.
Mr Daniel Liddy (42) of Ballydugennan Villas, Toomebridge, Co. Antrim pleaded guilty at Antrim Magistrates' Court, sitting in Ballymena Magistrates' Court, to five breaches of legislation and fisheries regulations prescribed under the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966.
These involved impeding an authorised person; possession of an unlawful fishing engine; taking or killing eels anywhere other than Lough Neagh; use of any unlawful net in freshwater, and did unlawfully erect a fixed engine in the freshwater portion of a river.
The case related to an incident on 8 September 2022 when DAERA Fisheries Protection Officers found illegal nets, along with a number of dead eels on his boat on the Lower Bann at Toomebridge.
His vehicle, boat and trailer were seized by officials along with the illegal fishing engines and dead eels.
The total fine of £515 consisted of fines, ranging from £100 to £300, for three of the offences, along with a conditional discharge for the other two offences. An offender levy of £15 was also applied.
DAERA Inland Fisheries enforcement is committed to pursue those who fish illegally. 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.
European Eels (Anguilla anguilla) are protected under (CITES) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Any fishery within Northern Ireland targeting European eels is highly regulated.
It is an offence to impede an authorised person while carrying out their duties.