Spurdog shark caught off Cork coast costs retired French fisherman €27,000

A spurdog shark. Thierry Priol should have discarded the fish at sea, but he didn't since he thought there was a ban on discarding catch. He forgot that there was an exception for discarding spurdog. File photo: iStock

The illegal catching of spurdog shark off the coast of Cork cost a French fisherman €27,000 at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, even though his solicitor described it as an honest mistake with no commercial benefit.

Judge Dara Hayes imposed a fine of €7,500 and ordered the consequential confiscation of his fish valued at €14,500 and gear worth €5,000.