23 Nov 2016

Fisherman sentenced over albatross deaths

12:30 pm on 23 November 2016

A commercial fisherman convicted for carelessly causing the deaths of albatrosses has been sentenced to 300 hours' community work.

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Photo: 123rf.com

Daniel Joseph Smyth had earlier admitted a charge of failing to take proper steps to prevent the death of the birds, as required under law.

Smyth failed to use a line of streamers to deter the birds, and the charge was linked to the death of 38 albatrosses.

In Nelson District Court today, Smyth was sentenced to community work, rather than be fined up to $19,000.

Judge Tony Zohrab said his evident inability to pay was behind the decision to order community work.

The offence was described as deliberate and selfish.

The charge was brought by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

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