Thursday, April 19, 2007

Abalone poachers net house arrest and other punishment

Three Prince Rupert area residents have been sentenced for their part in the largest seizure of illegal caught abalone in BC history.

In a case that first came to light last year, the three were caught in a DFO investigation in Port Edward

Stanley McNeil received a 12-month conditional sentence and a $40,000 fine. His brother, Daniel McNeil was slapped with four months house arrest, 80 hours community service and a $10,000 fine. A third man, Randal Graf received that same sentence and fine.

In addition to the fines and sentencing conditions, their fishing boat, truck and scuba gear were forfeited and the three were banned from scuba diving.

The three no doubt are feeling quite fortunate with their fate, as the possible punishment could have included a 750,000 dollar fine and up to seven years in jail.

House arrest, fines for B.C. abalone poachers
Canadian Press
April 19, 2007

PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. (CP) - Three abalone poachers have been slapped with house arrest and heavy fines in a Prince Rupert courtroom.

They plead guilty earlier to poaching 11,000 abalone, shellfish that have been protected since 1990 as an endangered species. Stanley McNeil received a 12-month conditional sentence and a $40,000 fine.

His brother, Daniel McNeil was slapped with four months house arrest, 80 hours community service and a $10,000 fine.

A third man, Randal Graf received that same sentence and fine.

The judge Wednesday also ordered the forfeiture of their fishing boat, truck and scuba gear. They have also been banned from scuba diving.

The seizure last February in Port Edward was the largest in B.C. history.

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