PROOF emerged over the weekend that Scotland’s rich coastal waters have become a battleground between fishery protection officers and illegal shellfish catchers.
At stake is a legal market worth large sums to Scottish fishers, as well as public safety – the shellfish seized in the latest incident came from an area in the Sound of Jura where such creatures may be poisonous to people who eat them.
The Scottish Government revealed yesterday that a vessel suspected of illegally fishing for razor clams was caught by Marine Scotland enforcement officers off the east coast of Jura in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Though no details were given about the vessel or its skipper and crew, Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead confirmed the alleged poachers were suspected of using dangerous "electro-fishing" techniques – they now face a fixed penalty of up to £10,000 or prosecution.
Catching shellfish in the area of the Sound of Jura where the vessel was stopped is illegal because the waters are not currently classified and shellfish from there – oysters and mussels as well as razor clams – may not be fit for human consumption.
Marine biotoxins, which are produced by certain types of phytoplankton, can accumulate in the tissues of filter-feeding shellfish such as razor clams.
Eating shellfish contaminated with these biotoxins can lead to illnesses ranging from sickness and diarrhoea to more serious conditions that may require hospital treatment.
Argyll and Bute Council officials joined in last week’s intelligence-led operation, which led to the seizure of a significant quantity of razor clams worth an estimated £750 in the UK and up to £4,000 in the Far East.
The vessel was also suspected of using electrofishing methods, which are not currently permitted in European waters without a specific permit.
Catching gear was dumped overboard as Marine Scotland officers approached the vessel, but it has now been recovered by divers.
After the catch was seized, Argyll and Bute Council’s environmental health service informed the local Justice of the Peace that the razor clams were fished from unclassified waters and was therefore unfit for human consumption.
The destruction of the illegal catch was ordered, and this will be carried out by Argyll and Bute Council.
If the evidence proves to be sufficient, the catchers could be hit with a fixed penalty notice up to the new maximum of £10,000, or the case could be referred to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to consider prosecution.
Richard Lochhead said: “Scotland’s shellfish enjoys an enviable reputation for taste and quality here and around the world. Our razor clams are particularly in demand in the Far East and it is vital our reputation is not damaged by produce caught in waters which have not been classified as fit for human consumption. Unsuspecting consumers could catch shellfish poisoning.”
“That is why catching those involved in this illegal activity is vitally important. Furthermore, the method being used to catch these shellfish is not currently permitted in Scottish waters.
“This intelligence-led operation shows that the Scottish Government, Marine Scotland and local authorities are determined to enforce the law. We have seized a large quantity of illegally caught shellfish and have recovered and seized the illegal fishing gear that was dumped into the sea.
“This will be followed by either a heavy fine or prosecution for those involved. They will not escape lightly. This case should serve as a clear warning to any others that continue to engage in illegal fishing that they should stop or risk being caught and facing serious consequences.”
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