Earlier this year four men, including champion free divers, were convicted over a major poaching operation in the Calanques National Park near Marseille, France. They were caught fishing in protected no-fishing zones. Whilst this activity may not be unexpected, a big difference is the landmark civil case this winter, where a court will make the first ruling of its kind over how much money in “environmental damages” those found guilty must pay the park. The fine is expected to be more than €450,000. The fishmongers and restaurateurs who bought the fish were not named in court because they had instead agreed to attend awareness classes and pay fines. At Marseille’s old port, professional fishermen lamented that the black market in seafood was a long-running problem.

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