Long Range Fish Report
From Sportfishing
From Sportfishing
Fish Report for 5-12-2011
Poachers Sentenced for Trafficking Abalone in Bay Area
5-12-2011
CDFG
An abalone poacher and restaurant owner have both been convicted and fined for engaging in the illegal sale of sport-caught abalone. Two state agencies, the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and California State Parks (CSP), worked together with the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office to investigate the case and aggressively prosecute the crimes.
"Illegal commercialization of California's abalone resources will not be tolerated," said Tony Warrington, Assistant Chief of the DFG Law Enforcement Division.
In the fall of 2009, CSP rangers began to suspect abalone trafficking was taking place after making multiple contacts with diver Michael Sean Miller, 55, of Petaluma, in the area around Fisk Mill. Rangers relayed the information to DFG's Special Operations Unit, which began an investigation. Wardens soon observed Miller harvesting abalone and transporting them to the rear entrance of Pacific Restaurant, 1045 Terra Nova Blvd. in Pacifica. There, Miller was observed selling the illegally taken abalone to the restaurant's owner, Pim Lim Szeto, 51 of San Francisco. Wardens arrested both subjects for the illegal sale and purchase of abalone.
The Sonoma County District Attorney''s Office began to prosecute the case in October 2009. Szeto was subsequently fined $20,000 and sentenced to 90 days work release time. His fishing license was revoked for life.
In May 2011, Miller pled guilty to poaching charges. He was fined $15,000 and sentenced to 90 days work release time with three years probation. He was also ordered to forfeit all dive gear and fishing equipment. His fishing licence has been revoked for life and he is prohibited from possessing abalone.
"Illegal commercialization of California's abalone resources will not be tolerated," said Tony Warrington, Assistant Chief of the DFG Law Enforcement Division.
In the fall of 2009, CSP rangers began to suspect abalone trafficking was taking place after making multiple contacts with diver Michael Sean Miller, 55, of Petaluma, in the area around Fisk Mill. Rangers relayed the information to DFG's Special Operations Unit, which began an investigation. Wardens soon observed Miller harvesting abalone and transporting them to the rear entrance of Pacific Restaurant, 1045 Terra Nova Blvd. in Pacifica. There, Miller was observed selling the illegally taken abalone to the restaurant's owner, Pim Lim Szeto, 51 of San Francisco. Wardens arrested both subjects for the illegal sale and purchase of abalone.
The Sonoma County District Attorney''s Office began to prosecute the case in October 2009. Szeto was subsequently fined $20,000 and sentenced to 90 days work release time. His fishing license was revoked for life.
In May 2011, Miller pled guilty to poaching charges. He was fined $15,000 and sentenced to 90 days work release time with three years probation. He was also ordered to forfeit all dive gear and fishing equipment. His fishing licence has been revoked for life and he is prohibited from possessing abalone.
< Previous Report Next Report >
More Reports
California Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Thursday, May 12th, 2011• State Groundfish Regulations Remain in Effect for Ocean Anglers
• Can you remove mussels with a tool?
• Are processed foods legal for trout bait?
• Waterfowl in possession after they are made into sausage
• More on bloodsucking leeches …
California Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Thursday, May 5th, 2011• Can you bring a Cowcod caught in Mexico back into the United States?
• When fishing for sanddabs, how many hooks can be attached to the line?
• Leeches or something else, while swimming
• What about turkeys in possession?
LongRangeSportfishing.net © 2024. All Rights Reserved.
Website Hosting and Design provided by TECK.net
Website Hosting and Design provided by TECK.net