News
Illegal scallop fishing lands skippers hefty fines
THREE fisherman appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Mar 21) to face multiple charges, relating to fisheries offences committed in March and April 2014, and November 2013.
42-year-old Lee Wonnacott of Richard John Road in Milford Haven, and Mark Alberry of Gloucester Terrace in Haverfordwest, both pleaded guilty to dredging fishing contrary to restrictions, and contravening an order relating to the regulation of nets and other fishing gear.
Also in the dock was Timothy Bowman-Davies the owner of TBD Fishing Limited, who pleaded guilty to six offences of the same nature.
Prosecuting the case on behalf of the Welsh Government was James Subbiani, who told the court that the charges related to breaches of scallop fishing and prohibition fishing methods.
He said that the fishing vessel that Wonnacott and Alberry were sailing upon, Accord M90, was owned by a local company, TBD Fishing Ltd.
He said: “Between November 22 and 25, 2013, they left Fishguard Port and travelled to Cardigan Bay. They were undertaking fishing activities – a significant part of which was conducted in closed areas under the 2010 order of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967.
“They took a number of tows, then moved to North Lleyn. Here, a number of horse muscles are protected, and all fishing is prohibited: That area was targeted.”
On that occassion, the Accord M90 was skippered by Alberry. Mr Subbiani said that it “seems” to be that he deliberately targeted the prohibited area, due to the greater yield.
My Subbiani explained that analysis has shown that the areas that are closed to fishing have recovered significantly, and provided research to show that the scallops harvested, which were landed at Bangor, Gave a profit of over £3,000.
He said: “The offences came to light when fisheries officers analysed that tracking data. This is done under two systems called VMS Plus and Sucker Fish. The analysis identified this trip.”
The court heard how Alberry declined requests for interview, and difficulties arose relating to the identification of the skipper at the time of the offence.
Mr Subbiani took that moment to thank TBD Fishing Ltd for their compliance, and providing evidence relating to the identification to the skipper so that the prosecution could go ahead. However, due to the company being liable for the action of the skippers, this action landed the company in court in addition tot he skippers in doing so.
Mr Subbiani went on to say that on March 26 and April 4, Wonnacott was the skipper. A research vessel was undertaking work to ascertain information regarding the amount of scallops in Cardigan Bay, and that the outcome was that they found there had been a significant yield.
He said: “On April 4, 2014, support officers saw the vessel actively engaged in fishing activities in an enclosed area, and the Accord M90 was photographed.
“Wonnacott said he fell asleep and the vessel wandered into the enclosed area.”
He continued: “The Welsh Government Fisheries Office undertook further analysis, and found another trip on March 26.
“Cardigan Bay is a place of conservation, and has the highest levels of protection for sea beds, reefs, dolphins and whales. On too many occasions, I come to court as vessels have strayed.”
Mr Subbiani told the magistrates: “I have prosecuted Wonnacott before after he had been fishign in Cardigan Bay. He pleaded guilty to two offenced and was fined £7,000 – it seems he has not learnt his lesson.”
The court also heard how TBD Fishing Ltd have taken steps to ensure that this will not happen again, but no longer engaging in scallop fishing, and not allowing anybody other than the owner, Timothy Bowman-Davies or his son be the Master of a vessel.
Defence solicitor, Mark Layton said: “Timothy Bowman-Davies is the owner of the company, and through this dredging gained just under £10,000. However, the accounts ending May 31, 2014 and May 31, 2015 show a loss.
“There was a slight profit in 2013, but in 2014 suffered a huge loss in excess of £50,000. This attributes to the business venture relating to scallop fishing.
“TBD Fishing Ltd have never appeared before court in the past, and although Bowman-Davies is in the dock, he also appears as a prosecution wistness, in effect, against himself..”
Mr Layton told the court how Bowman-Davies had explained who was on board and how much was made, and he instructed the to go to Milford Haven’s Fisheries Office to make sure they understood the legalities of dredging for shellfish.
Mr Layton said: “He believed they would know where to go, and said that they were experienced fisherman and does not condone illegal fishing. Now, only he and his son are in control of the boats, and they no longer fish for scallops.
“It’s like someone having a company car and going for a frolic – he had no control over the skippers or what they were doing as he was not there.”
After considering the evidence, magistrates fined TBD Fishing Ltd a total of £2,000, and ordered that the company pays £100 victim surcharge and £763.50 costs to the Crown Proscution Service.
Both Lee Wonnacott and Mark Alberry must pay a fine of £1,000 each, and each pay a victim surcharge of £100 and costs to the Crown Prosecution Service of £763.50.
News
Too many children in Wales living in poverty – Lib Dems want action
THIS week in the Senedd, the Welsh Liberal Democrats renewed their demands for the implementation of child poverty targets.
According to a report from the Bevan foundation, 29% of children living in Wales are currently experiencing poverty (an estimated 190,000 children).
The same report highlighted that the largest percentage of children living in poverty are from working households or in couple households.
The Welsh Lib Dems are now renewing calls for the Welsh Government to create a set of targets for reducing child poverty, which the party argues will allow for more accountability.
The party has previously called for the implementation of targets, citing recommendations from the Calling Time on Child Poverty Report published in November last year.
Commenting, the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds MS said: “The latest statistics on childhood poverty in Wales paints a very distressing image of families across the country struggling to make ends meet.
Over the course of the last six years, the proportion of children in poverty has skyrocketed. Fuelled by worsening economic conditions and a complete lack of action from both governments in Westminster and Cardiff Bay.
We cannot act complacent about these figures nor accept the clear lack of progress in fighting child poverty, behind each statistic is a child that the state has failed.
It remains painfully clear that the Welsh Government is failing to make any meaningful progress in this fight, which is why they must follow through with the implementation of clear set targets that will allow for further accountability.
We as a party have continuously called for the creation of these targets and we will not be silenced. For the sake of future generations we urge the Welsh Government to listen.”
Crime
Welsh constabulary areas record another increase in shoplifting
RETAIL trade union Usdaw is deeply concerned by today’s police recorded crime statistics showing that in 2023 there were significant increases in shoplifting across all constabulary areas in Wales. In the whole of England and Wales there has been a persistent upward trend since the pandemic, which continued with a 37% increase and has now risen to the highest level in 20 years.
The Office for National Statistics released figures showing a 39% increase in shoplifting incidents across Wales and by constabulary area as follows:
- Dyfed-Powys +11%
- Gwent +47%
- North Wales +23%
- South Wales +51%
Usdaw’s 2023 annual survey of over 5,500 shopworkers found that 60% had suffered incidents of violence, threats and abuse that were triggered by shoplifting and armed robbery.
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary says: “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime, theft from shops has long been a major flashpoint for violence and abuse against shopworkers. Having to deal with repeated and persistent shoplifters can cause issues beyond the theft itself like anxiety, fear and in some cases physical harm to retail workers. This 39% increase in shoplifting across Wales is further evidence that we are facing an epidemic of retail crime, which is hugely concerning.
“Our members have reported that they are often faced with hardened career criminals in the stores and we know that retail workers are much more likely to be abused by those who are stealing to sell goods on. Our latest survey results show that 7 in 10 retail workers suffered abuse from customers, with far too many experiencing threats and violence. 60% of respondents said theft from shops and armed robbery were triggers for these incidents.
“The scale of assaults, abuse and threats towards shopworkers and extent of the retail crime epidemic has been a disgrace for many years. This has been made worse by police cuts and a failure to legislate to protect retail staff. Usdaw has long called for action that includes a standalone offence for assaulting a shopworker and that has been vehemently opposed by this Government and their Conservative MPs on many occasions.
“Recently the Government performed a long overdue U-turn after many years of sustained campaigning by Usdaw and others. Our members have had to wait too long for their voices to be heard and common sense to prevail. We will have to see the detail of what Ministers are proposing and we are clear that it must be at least what we won in Scotland three years ago. It also cannot fall short of Labour’s commitments to 13,000 more uniformed officers, patrols on high streets, banning repeat offenders and ending the perverse £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters.
“The dither and delay by this Government on this issue over many years, has led to thousands of shopworkers needlessly suffering physical and mental injury. Today’s stats should ensure that their promise to legislate is done speedily. We hope that whatever the Government is proposing will be substantial and effective in giving shopworkers, key workers in every community, the respect that they have long deserved and regrettably too often do not receive.”
Business
Paramount’s key role in transformation of McArthurGlen Designer Outlet
FAST-growing Welsh company Paramount is relishing the challenge of creating an “irresistible dining destination” after winning the contract to play a key role in the multi-million transformation of the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Bridgend.
The Cardiff-based design, build, fit-out and refurbishment specialist will spearhead the re-development project of the shopping centre after being handed responsibility for revamping its popular food court over the summer.
In the coming months, the development will see the Food Court transformed into three modern, and bright restaurants, welcoming new food and beverage brands to the centre and creating more than 100 new job opportunities for the local community.
Paramount’s Construction Director, Paul Thomas, said: “The team behind the scenes at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Bridgend have fantastic plans for the future and we’re delighted to have been entrusted with the mission to help turn their exciting vision into a reality.
“Paramount prides itself on creating places where people want to be, and my team are relishing the opportunity to help create what will be an irresistible dining destination. It’s certain to be a complex project, but we have the expertise and local knowledge to deliver outstanding results in close collaboration with our project partners.”
The owners of the shopping centre, which has been attracting local people and visitors for more than 25 years, have promised a “substantial investment to redevelop the Food Court area and replace it with new and exciting restaurants”.
Now the Paramount team is ready to lay the groundwork by removing some existing structures around the Food Court and will then introduce a series of new features as part of the overall facelift. These include new glazed entrance doors within glazed curtain walling shopfront, render and a new entrance lobby with new stairs and lifts.
The work to completely develop the Food Court in the shopping centre starts this week, and is expected to be completed in late autumn. As a result, customer favourites including Nando’s, McDonald’s and Chopsticks will be closed while work is under way.
Patrick Finney, Head of European Construction, McArthurGlen Group, said: “After celebrating our 25th anniversary last year, we’re extremely pleased to welcome Paramount on board in this important step of revitalising the Food Court area.
“These are exciting times for everyone at one of South Wales’ best-loved retail complexes and we know Paramount will work closely with us to create a truly special place for diners and shoppers of all ages.”
Paramount, whose turnover reached £45 million in 2023, employs 60 people who own a majority shareholding of the business – 51 per cent – following completion of an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) scheme in 2021, a deal which marked a major milestone for Paramount after a period of sustained growth.
The company is well known across Wales and England where it has created high-quality inspirational space for a number of leading companies. These include the multi-million-pound redevelopment of Hodge House and Fusion Point One in central Cardiff, and the fit out of Par 59 bars in South Wales and South West.
Over the next few months, Paramount’s construction team will also be completing on a multi-million-pound social housing development in Porthcawl, Mid-Glamorgan with Valleys to Coast.
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