The director of international ocean conservation for the Pew Environment Group, Karen Sack, welcomed a relevant court decision that sends a strong message to those engaged in large-scale illegal fishing. The US District Court for the Southern District of New York ordered three defendants to pay USD 54.9 million in restitution to the South African government for illegally taking lobsters from the country’s waters over a five year period.
“Pew applauds the court for recognizing the severity of this crime and appropriately ordering such a high penalty," expressed Sack in a release.
And he added: “These defendants stole an environmental asset from South Africa, and it is only fair that they pay the country back for that theft. This unprecedented ruling shows that the US can and will take concerted action to stop illegal fishing and bring those US citizens engaging in it to justice, whether it has occurred within or outside of US waters."
“Most of the illegal catch was shipped to the US for sale. This is the largest ever restitution awarded by a US court under the historic Lacey Act, one of the oldest American conservation laws that protects plants and wildlife by establishing civil and criminal penalties for a wide array of violations, and most notably prohibits trade in wildlife, fish, and plants that have been illegally taken, transported or sold.” editorial@fis.com www.fis.com
EC warns Faroe Islands of impending sanctions European Union
The European Commission has notified the Faroe Islands that it plans to take steps, including closing off fishing ports, to support the sustainability of herring fisheries shared between the two parties.
Fish exports may generate USD 500mln by 2015 Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is working on increasing its deep sea fishing efforts and doubling fish exports between now and 2015 and to achieve this goal, it will be using new vessels from Japan and China,
Hurdles to Ecuadorian shrimp claimed in five markets Ecuador
The National Aquaculture Chamber claims the existence of technical, tariff or health issues in Argentina, China, South Korea, Egypt and Brazil that complicate the entry of Ecuadorian shrimp into these markets.
Pescanova and creditor banks negotiating loan terms Spain
Deloitte, Pescanova’s reorganisation administrator appointed by the National Securities Market Commission, continues negotiating with the major creditor banks the conditions of a EUR 55 million loan for the company.
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