Hawkes Bay Seafoods (HBS) and 2 subsidiary companies in the HBS stable, Esplanade No 3 and Ocean Enterprises Limited plus HBS directors, Antonino (Nino) and Giancarlo (Joe) D'Esposito, and general manager, Marcus D'Esposito were all charged in 2017 with offences under the Fisheries Act.
All parties pleaded guilty last year to under-reporting 27 tonnes of bluenose linked to export consignments to Australia between 2012 and 2014. They were sentenced today in the Wellington District Court.
As well as being fined a total of $1,086,673, the defendants were ordered to pay $418,500 in redemption fees for the return of 4 fishing vessels that the court ordered to be forfeited to the Crown after the offending.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) manager of fisheries compliance Steve Ham says today's result is significant.
"This was sustained offending that happened over a number of years. The judgement today shows very clearly that Marcus D'Esposito knew his actions were against the law.
"Today's outcome sends a clear message to anyone who is thinking of offending similarly – MPI will ensure that people who break the law in this way are dealt with accordingly."
Read the full release here https://www.fisheries.govt.nz/…/hawkes-bay-seafoods-and-pe…/
Tagit wrote: I wonder if their quota was forfeited back to the people of NZ that it was originally 'stolen from? If not, why not? Removing quota as an overfishing penalty would surely be the most logical and sensible penalty to help the overfished stock recover? Just park that quota instead of reselling it and the damage can be repaired |
terrafish wrote: And if Tagit was pm they would be in jail |
Kevin.S wrote: I hope this means a change of management, and the way they work |
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