Fishermen jailed after dumping lobster catch
Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation AuthorityTwo fishermen have been jailed after throwing a catch of lobsters overboard and threatening officers during a harbour inspection in Cornwall.
Officers from the Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority boarded the Padstow-based vessel Amber Mabel shortly after it returned to harbour on April 25, 2025, Truro Crown Court heard.
Skipper Ashley Rescorla and a crewman threw the entire catch of lobsters overboard, preventing officers from checking them.
Investigators believed berried female lobsters, which are protected, were likely among the catch. Officers were also subjected to verbal abuse and threatening behaviour before leaving the vessel for their own safety and calling police.
'Illegal and unreasonable'
Rescorla, 40, from Padstow, was jailed for 15 months after admitting perverting the course of justice at Truro Crown Court on Thursday.
Crew member Andrew Prout, 36, from Dartmouth, was jailed for two months after pleading guilty to affray.
Garry Ellis, 44, from St Austell, received a one-month sentence suspended for 12 months after admitting using threatening or abusive behaviour.
A teenage crew member, who cannot be named, was given a 12-month conditional discharge at an earlier hearing.
Simon Cadman, principal enforcement officer for Cornwall IFCA, said the behaviour had been the "worst that has ever been experienced" by officers during an inspection.
"I can only assume that the master and crew knew they had illegal lobsters on board and believed that if they prevented them from being inspected, they could avoid an investigation and the potential for legal proceedings," he said.
"They may not have considered that a conviction for perverting the course of justice or public order offences could lead to a more severe sentence, including imprisonment.
"As has been demonstrated here, Cornwall IFCA will not tolerate illegal and unreasonable behaviour that prevents its officers from carrying out their statutory duties. Perpetrators will be investigated and brought to justice for their indefensible conduct."