POACHER ROUNDED UP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22708, 22 October 1935, Page 15

POACHER ROUNDED UP

GUNBOAT ARRESTS TRAWLER Exciting incidents in Rye Bay, when a French trawler was chased by a fishery protection vessel, had a sequel recently in court at Dover, Paul Pcrrault, master of the French trawler St. Augustine 11, was fined £ls for fishing in the bay within the three-mile limit, entering British fishery limits, and for neglecting to comply with an order made by a British fishery officer. The gear was ordered to be confiscated. Lieutenant-commander Y. F. Bothell, of H.M.S. Cherwell, a fishing protection vessel, related that he was on patrol in Eye Bay the previous night when he saw the trawler. She had only one light, and no light at the masthead. Her trawl was down, and the crew were hauling in. As he went alongside the masthead light was hoisted, and what appeared to be part of the gear slipped. “ I ordered her to stop,” continued Lieutenant-commander Bethcll, “ but she went slowly ahead and turned seaward. I again ordered her to stop and t\sice blew my whistle. She continued her way, and a boat with a boarding officer was lowered. “ The trawler increased her speed. I recalled my boat and fired a gun. The St. Augustine II then stopped.” Captain Perrault was taken on board thq gunboat. He admitted fishing within the limits. He stated that he did not hoar the orders because of the noise of his engines. Through an interpreter, Captain Porrault told the Bench he stopped immediately he heard the gun. He did not see the small boat approaching as the gunboat’s searchlight blinded him. When he heard the decision of the magistrates, Captain Perrault declared that that was the first time ho had ever been in a court, and his punishment was severe. He had no money, but he would find it.