A FISHERMAN says he broke controversial EU quotas out of desperation after running up crippling debts in a declining industry.

Terry Stimpson, of Jaywick, admitted landing more fish than he was allowed following a four-year legal battle, which cost the taxpayer an estimated £500,000.

Mr Stimpson, 54, and fellow north Essex fishermen James Craig and Daniel Swallow admitted exceeding their European Union quotas at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Mr Stimpson is understood to be the last commercial fisherman operating out of Brightlingsea.

Mr Stimpson, of Tudor Green, admitted three charges of exceeding his quota, twice for cod and once for skate and ray, in 2011 while on board his boat Sea Glory 2.

He twice landed more than three times his 1,000kg limit for cod, earning him more than £6,600, the court heard.

The court was told Mr Stimpson had struggled during the past 15 years due to bad luck and family difficulties.

The court was told he now only earns about £450 a month after costs. The fisherman was given two years to pay a £4,500 fine and £1,500 costs.

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Stimpson said he was “shocked” at the size of the fine.

“We are just glad it's all over – it’s been an absolute nightmare,” he said.

“It wasn’t intentional. When you put your nets in the water, you can’t predict what you are going to catch.

“They say what we did was wrong, but at the end of the day you shouldn’t be throwing perfectly good fish away that should go for consumption. They are already dead – there is no conservation in that.”

Read the full story in the Clacton Gazette.