Paua poachers sentanced

Three family members caught selling poached flounder in South Auckland have been sentenced for their part in the black market operation.

Martin Horne was sentenced to 350 hours community service, Jacob Horne was fined nearly $5,000 for his part, and Fenny Harry received 200 hours community service in the Manukau District Court yesterday.

The group sometimes caught up to 300 flounder a night and sold $20 bags to a network of family and friends, before fisheries officers were tipped off last year.

Ian Bright, the Ministry of Fisheries compliance manager for Auckland, says the poaching operation was at the upper level of offending.

Two other family members involved in the illegal operation were sentenced in May.