Article Summary:

The Pew Environment Group reports on the largest ever restitution order made by a US court under the Lacey Act. The “U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ordered three defendants to pay $54.9 million in restitution to the South African government for illegally taking lobsters from the country’s waters over a five year period.”

The Lacey Act provides for civil and criminal penalties for violations, and prohibits trade in wildlife, fish, and plants that have been illegally taken, transported, or sold.