Large DC Seafood Dealer Fined For Illegal Rockfish

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Federal prosecutors say one of Washington's largest seafood wholesalers must pay more than a half-million dollar fine for illegal rockfish sales spanning more than a decade.

The Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office also announced Monday that the vice president of Ocean Pro Ltd., its fish buyer, and a waterman were sentenced.

Ocean Pro, which does business as Profish, was ordered to pay a $575,000 fine. Timothy Lyon, of Bethesda, Md. a part owner and officer of the company, was sentenced to 21 months and a $60,000 fine. Fish buyer Benjamin Clough, of Graysonville, Md. was sentenced to 15 months and a $7,500 fine.

Also sentenced was waterman Gordon Jett, of Fredericksburg, Va. Jett was sentenced to five months and $4,572 in restitution.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APTV-11-29-10 1519EST