Australia: Seafood industry welcomes jailing of abalone poacher – Fishupdate.com

Australia: Seafood industry welcomes jailing of abalone poacher Published:  24 February, 2006

THE Victorian seafood industry has welcomed a jail sentence for a Melbourne man found guilty of abalone poaching, ABC News Online has reported.

Shane Christopher De Gelder, 49, has been jailed for two years in the first sentence under new laws making poaching an indictable offence.

Ross McGowan from Seafood Industry Victoria says illegal harvesting can interrupt scientific research and jeopardise the species’ natural growth.

“We congratulate the Government on implementing the new laws and we think it’s a step in the right direction to send a message to people who are out there stealing abalone that when you are caught, and you will be at some stage, you can look at doing time in jail,” he said.

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