The skipper and owners of a Devon based fishing vessel have been prosecuted for dredging scallops off the Cornish coast in contravention of conservation regulations.

Martyn Rogers of Victoria Road, Brixham, skipper of the trawler Amy R E495, and Amy R Trawlers Ltd, also of Brixham, were between them ordered to pay more than £15,000 after breaking fishing regulations in the Cornwall Inshore Fisheries Conservation Area.

On February 20, Truro magistrates found that in July last year, 5 miles south-east of Looe, the trawler had used dredges to remove the molluscs from the fishery after 7pm, and also to have kept scallops on board which were smaller than the permitted size of 100mm.

In addition, Mr Rogers was found to have "obstructed Gavin Purcell, a Cornwall Inshore Fishery and Conservation Authority officer in the performance of the officers function".

Amy R Tawlers were fined a total of £3,000 plus costs of £2,482 and a £120 victim surcharge, and Mr Rogers was fined a total of £5,000 plus costs of £4,500 and a £120 victim surcharge.