Italy and Others Cited for Illegal Fishing

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/12/italy-and-others-cited-for-illegal-fishing/?ref=science

In 2009 and 2010, vessels from Italy along with 6 other nations engaged in illegal fishing. The report states the widespread use of illegal driftnets, overfishing of stocks protected by international quotas and the unlawful use of spotting planes to catch increasingly rare bluefin tuna, among other violations. After working on stopping these vessels, 2 countries continue on with the illegal fishing; Panama and Italy. Only a small fine of about $4,000 per violation was issued to Italy and many of the vessels sighted continued to use the unlawful nets. The Pew Environment Group, which studies fisheries issues, estimates that one-fifth of all fish taken from the world’s oceans are fished illegally or without any management of stocks.
I believe this is terrible. This does huge damage to the environment and in the long run, these business's and all they get as punishment is a small, lousy fine.