Poacher accused of ‘ravaging the ocean' off Canada gets prison time, records show
Scott Steer, of Gabriola Island, faced eight charges including fishing in a closed area without a license, selling illegally harvested sea cucumbers and breaching an order prohibiting him from possessing fishing vessels, according to July 25 sentencing records from British Columbia Supreme Court Justice David Crerar.
According to court records, Steer has the 'longest record of Fisheries Act violations in Canadian history,' with 34 convictions dating back to 2008 — but authorities say his non-compliance began even earlier.
'Steer considers himself unbound by laws,' Crerar said, adding that he fully recognized 'and even exulted in the criminality of his actions.'
Steer's attorney Kevin Westell told McClatchy News in an email July 30 that Steer is 'incredibly disappointed with the result' of the sentencing.
'We are currently in the process of reviewing the trial and sentencing decisions from the perspective of a potential appeal. We have 30 days from the date of the sentencing decision to file a notice of appeal and plan to use the time constructively,' Westell said.
Through a 'sham' corporation, Steer received more than CA$1 million through his illegal sea cucumber sales — an amount that is based on known payments from just one entity, officials said. 'Other revenues, from other buyers, are unknown,' Crerar said. 'The trial evidence indicated that revenues were likely significantly more.'
In 2019, between October and December alone, Steer harvested 97,722 pounds of sea cucumbers under illegally-obtained licenses and 'harvested thousands of pounds of additional sea cucumbers' without any license at all, court records show.
Steer's previous violations include poaching other marine life, including catching over 1,000 pounds of crab 'under cover of darkness' in Vancouver Harbor, which is permanently closed for crab harvesting, court records show.
'The only way to stop Mr Steer from ravaging the ocean and flouting the law and court orders is to move him far from the sea for a long period of time,' Crerar said in sentencing records.
In many cultures, sea cucumbers are considered a delicacy and are often used in traditional medicine.
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