Gilles Chavoutier of Barfleur and the boat he part-owns, Le Millésime, were escorted by fisheries officers into St Helier yesterday.
Chavoutier, who required a translator in court, reserved his plea.
It is alleged that he was fishing in Zone C, as defined in the Bay of Granville Treaty, without authorisation.
Police legal adviser Advocate Robin Morris asked the Magistrate that bail conditions be imposed requiring the defendant to hand over £1,000 to ensure his appearance in two weeks’ time.
And he warned Chavoutier that anyone convicted of illegal fishing on two occasions faced a fine of up to £40,000.
Advocate Morris argued that a £1,000 bail bond was not an excessive sum, as Chavoutier’s vessel was 15 metres long and had a considerable catch when boarded by fisheries officers.
The Magistrate, Ian Le Marquand, asked the defendant if he could pay and whether he required legal advice.
Speaking through the interpreter, the Frenchman said he wished to seek legal aid and said he would try to contact his bank in France to transfer any bail money.
The Magistrate ordered that Chavoutier pay £500 as bail and adjourned the case until this afternoon so that the transfer could be organised.
