Five professional fishermen in New Caledonia have been fined for crayfish poaching.
According to local television, the court of appeal fined them up to $US10,000 for violating the Southern Province's environmental protection order.
They had been caught by monitors five years ago, accused of fishing at night with lights in Great Southern Lagoon.
They were convicted two years ago but appealed.
The report says the sentence is the most significant win for the province's environment protection service.
It hopes it will act as a deterrent for all fishermen.
