Fisherman spared full penalty for having out-of-season conch, fined over $10,000

By BBN Staff: An overzealous Sarteneja fisherman was fined over $10,000 today for being in possession of conch only two days before the season officially opens.

The Corozal-bashed fisherman, 32-year-old, Estavan Octavio Flores Jr., was one of three men found on the vessel “Lee Run” in possession of 728 conch on September 29, in an area of Southwest of Harry Jones Channel Turneffe Atoll.

In court, Flores pleaded guilty to possession of conch during closed season, sparing the other two men from facing the charge. He was fined $500 for the offense itself and should have been fined $30 for each conch in his possession ( which would have amounted to $21,840) but the magistrate used her discretion and only charged him $10,000.

He has until November 30, 2021, to pay the $500 fine or face six months in jail; meanwhile, he has until February 28, 2022, to pay the $10,000 fine.

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