FOR years he has been the head of the body that manages a busy Hampshire harbour.

But after being ordered to pay a £50,000 bill for breaking fishing laws, Graham Butler, pictured right, has stepped down.

Butler voluntarily resigned from his role as chairman of Lymington Harbour Commissioners just days after being handed the hefty fine in court.

For now he remains a member of the commissioners but this will be reviewed during a meeting of the board next month, which he will not be allowed to attend.

Butler, 61, of Gosport Street, Lymington, has fished for shellfish off the New Forest coast for 42 years.

But, last year, the Marine and Fisheries Agency monitored him for eight months, as he had not been properly completing and submitting logbook entries of his catches and had even submitted one in Greek.

He pleaded guilty to 16 charges of failing to complete logbooks and submit records, which are needed to keep track of fish stocks and ensure there are stocks for the future.

Butler, who also runs an engineering and pyrotechnics business, was ordered to pay a total of £50,013.50 after District Judge Ann Arnold told him he had shown a "flagrant disregard" of fishing laws.

Ryan Willegers, harbour master, told the Daily Echo: "Many of the commissioners were not aware of Mr Butler's court appearance until Friday.

"The decision was taken to have a special meeting next month to discuss the position once we have spoken to the various agencies involved and looked at everything. The extraordinary meeting will not involve Mr Butler but, at the moment, he is still on the board. We have no further comment."

Butler stepped down during a private session following the harbour commissioners' meeting on Monday.

Vice chairman Peter Griffiths is now acting as chairman.

Butler did not wish to comment.