13th November: Arran No Take Zone illegal fishing fine ‘meaningless’

A fine issued for illegal hand-diving for scallops in protected waters off Arran has been criticised as “paltry” and “a mockery”, falling “far short of reflecting the gravity of the offence”.

“This incident,” said the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST) in a press statement, “underscores the broader issue of inadequate enforcement within Scotland’s so-called “Marine Protected Areas” (MPAs), raising questions about the effectiveness of current measures to safeguard critical marine environments.”

Critics have also called for a review by the Scottish Government of how penalties are calculated.

40-year-old Scallop diver Lee MacPherson was issued a £4,175 penalty after he pleaded guilty to one charge relating to the fishing at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Thursday, October 10.

The prosecution followed an investigation into reports of suspicious fishing activity within the Lamlash Bay No Take Zone in November 2023. Scallop diver, Lee MacPherson, was handed a Fixed Penalty Notice of £10,000 by Marine Directorate Compliance earlier this year.