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The Environment Agency has seized a 40-metre illegal fishing net in a cross-border enforcement operation on the north east coast.
The operation saw Environment Agency fisheries officers from Yorkshire and the North East working in partnership with North Eastern Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority to remove the fishing net at Skinningrove in Redcar and Cleveland.
Paul Slater, Fisheries Team Leader for the Environment Agency, said:
The prohibited fishing net had the potential to capture a large number of sea trout but luckily we found it in time before it had a chance to make a significant catch.
We received a tip-off about the net, which highlights the importance of people volunteering vital information to us that ultimately helps to protect the local fishing industry.
It is illegal for individuals to fish for sea trout by net without an official licence obtained from the Environment Agency. Even during the current unprecedented times created by Covid-19, we are still actively patrolling the coastline and responding quickly to any reports of illegal netting. Our officers are wearing the appropriate protective equipment and adhering to social distancing measures.
A licensed, strictly regulated and managed sea trout fishery operates in the coastal area around the waters of Skinningrove.
But the use of unlicensed nets which illegally take salmon and sea trout from the sea whilst the fish are returning to their spawning rivers is a major concern for the Environment Agency in the North East and Yorkshire. Such nets are indiscriminate by nature and are often left for long periods of time where they not only take significant numbers of fish of all kinds, but also capture mammals and sea birds.
Those who operate unlicensed nets leave themselves open to the full force of the law. There are unlimited fines and possible prison sentences available to the courts when initiating prosecution cases.
In recent years a number of significant prosecutions have taken place in the region with one individual being fined nearly £7,000 for illegal netting in the Tyne & Wear area.
Whilst the number of illegal nets has fallen over the past decade significant numbers are still encountered by Environment Agency Fisheries Enforcement Officers, who can seize not only the netting equipment but also the captured fish. The officers also have the powers to arrest, search and seize vessels where necessary.
David McCandless, Chief Officer for North Eastern Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority, said:
It goes without saying that over the past 20-years we have enjoyed a close working relationship with Environment Agency officers, up and down the coast.
Given the current climate surrounding Covid-19. It’s important that members of the public are aware we are out on the coast and on the ground – carrying out active and joint enforcement activities. Particularly relating to the detection of illegal fishing and unlicensed nets, which obviously causes impact on very sensitive migratory fish stocks, but can also create hazards for members of the public and potentially cause damage to other species that get caught up in the nets.
If you ever wish to report any incidents of illegal fishing or poaching then please contact the Environment Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
News story
The MMO has launched further assistance for our industry stakeholders and customers who are impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Wind farm development
As the country slowly begins to restart, we continue to be available to deliver most of our usual services and have introduced new initiatives to help businesses in the marine development sector facing disruption or difficulties.
We have produced an up to date guide to help stakeholders find their way around the assistance available. In our role as manager of our seas around England, we are committed to protecting and developing our seas and coasts and supporting coastal communities for the benefit of generations to come.
We do this by permitting, licencing and monitoring marine developments from huge offshore windfarms to small harbour quays. At this time, when companies are facing unprecedented challenges, we are doing all in our power to support them and avoid unnecessary delays.
“I would encourage our stakeholders to stay in touch,” said Tom McCormack, CEO of MMO. “We need to continue to work together to understand the impact on businesses, identify how we can help, and help reflect and share key information with government.”
Our financial and welfare support guide for the fishing industry to signpost the support that is available to assist the fishing industry has also been updated to help the catch and processing sectors continue to fish and trade. This has included financial support through the Fisheries Response Fund and the Domestic Seafood Supply Scheme.
In line with the government’s instructions, most MMO staff who can, continue to work from home. Plans are in place for those working outdoors to return to work safely. Where this is not yet possible, other measures are in place.
We can be contacted for all MMO services in several ways – online, email, by phone, social media or via our website.
For all MMO contact numbers visit www.marinemanagement.org.uk
Published 1 June 2020
The framework will allow companies to work closely with the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), which researches the development of nuclear fusion energy and its related technologies.
Further, it will enable UKAEA to call upon a broad range of engineering and technical skills as UKAEA’s range of activities (in fusion research, powerplant design, robotics, materials and other technology areas) continues to flourish.
It will be vital in the mission to develop commercial fusion power, while also helping to grow the UK economy by ensuring industry are fully involved.
The arrangement means UKAEA can call upon experts as and when needed to undertake a range of projects. There is also the opportunity for providers to work together on initiatives costing more than £100,000.
Paula Barham, UKAEA Head of Procurement, said: “This framework brings exciting opportunities for UKAEA; to work collaboratively with the Supply Chain and maximise the potential value within those relationships. This is vital to UKAEA succeeding and positioning the UK as a leader in sustainable nuclear energy.”
The collaboration features companies with a background in some, or all of, the following: mechanical engineering, process engineering, computer-based modelling and simulations, minor structural engineering for design, specialist nuclear services, and electrical, control and instrumentation (EC&I).
One example of how the arrangement could work is the delivery of a feasibility study – or concept design – for STEP.
STEP is the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production, a UKAEA programme to design and build the world’s first compact fusion reactor by 2040.
Gary Stables, Engineering Design Office Group Leader at UKAEA, said: “I look forward to working closely with our industrial partners, and working together to solve some of the challenges we will encounter on the road to a commercially viable fusion powerplant.”
The companies which are part of the framework are: Assystem, DBD, Rolls-Royce, Jacobs, Frazer Nash, Atkins, IDOM, Mott MacDonald, and M5tec.
For enquiries relating to the contract please email: procurement@ukaea.uk.
For more information regarding the press release, please contact Richard Woodall in UKAEA’s Communications Group: richard.woodall@ukaea.uk.
Alan Farrow (34) will be joined on the disqualified directors register by his wife, Marina Farrow (34), who has been banned for 5 years.
Husband and wife, both from Shiptonthorpe, East Riding of Yorkshire, saw their disqualifications come into effect on 7 May 2020 and they are now banned from directly or indirectly becoming involved, without the permission of the court, in the promotion, formation or management of a company.
Alan and Marina Farrow were directors of East Yorkshire Machinery Limited. Incorporated in October 2013, the company was based in Shiptonthorpe and bought and sold second-hand tractors, agricultural machinery and plant equipment.
Following complaints to Trading Standards, Alan Farrow signed an undertaking in January 2016 agreeing that he would cease publishing sales adverts that were misleading about the condition of tractors and other products.
Alan Farrow, however, continued to breach the undertaking and following court action brought against him by Trading Standards, he signed a further agreement in November 2017.
By April 2018, East Yorkshire Machinery was placed into liquidation and a subsequent investigation by the Insolvency Service into the conduct of Alan and Marina Farrow found several complaints had been made to Trading Standards about the company.
Investigators uncovered that between January 2016 and October 2017, at least 11 customers purchased tractors and other goods advertised for sale from East Yorkshire Machinery worth more than £88,000.
East Yorkshire Machinery, however, didn’t supply or deliver the goods and failed to refund several customers. In one case, a customer only received a refund after they obtained a court judgment against the company.
Further enquiries uncovered that between April 2016 and May 2017, at least 7 customers bought goods from the company worth close to £35,000. However, customers received goods that were either mis-described or not in the same condition as advertised. Three customers managed to secure refunds after obtaining court judgments, while the others remain as creditors in the liquidation.
On 16 April 2020, both Alan and Marina Farrow had their disqualification undertakings accepted by the Secretary of State after husband and wife did not dispute that they had caused or allowed East Yorkshire Machinery Ltd to continue to breach the Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations.
John Bryan, senior trading standards officer at East Riding of Yorkshire Council said:
We welcome the news that this couple have been banned from being directors of a company for up to six years as they had been known to trading standards officers for quite a number of years.
The company and its directors had caused considerable distress to its customers, not just in the East Riding, but across the country for a prolonged period of time and they operated in a manner that was for their own financial and selfish gain.
Rob Clarke, Chief Investigator for the Insolvency Service, said:
Alan Farrow was fully aware the company was publishing false adverts that misled customers leading to them buying goods that were either misdescribed and in some cases not even supplied. What’s worse is that Alan Farrow had signed an agreement promising the company would stop but continued to do so anyway. He has since gone on to sign a further undertaking in court.
This is totally inappropriate conduct for company directors and thanks to the joint working with East Yorkshire Trading Standards, Alan and Marina’s bans send a clear message that corporates should comply with legislation which is in place to protect customers who in this case were the real victims.
Alan Farrow is of Shiptonthorpe, and his date of birth is August 1986.
Marina Farrow is of Shiptonthorpe and her date of birth is May 1986.
East Yorkshire Machinery Ltd (Company Reg no. 08238692).
Disqualification undertakings are the administrative equivalent of a disqualification order but do not involve court proceedings. Persons subject to a disqualification order are bound by a range of restrictions.
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