A man who targeted a protected species of fish left Magistrates’ Court yesterday with a fine totalling $10,500.

Christopher Burgess, 32, admitted unlawfully taking parrotfish from an exclusive economic zone and unlawfully having a protected species when he appeared in court last month.

He was sentenced for the offences yesterday.

The court earlier heard that police were called to Tom Moore’s Tavern in Hamilton Parish, in the Walsingham Nature Reserve, on March 13 last year, after receiving reports of someone taking parrotfish from the water.

Officers found Burgess, from St George’s, holding bags containing seven dead parrotfish along with a pole spear.

Prosecutor Matthew Frick suggested that Burgess be fined $14,000 — $2,000 for each parrotfish — while defence lawyer Aqueelah Simmons requested a $7,000 fine.

Magistrate Maria Sofianos highlighted Burgess’ early guilty plea, but also said he was “solely to blame” for the offences and that a conditional discharge would be met with public outrage.

Ms Sofianos ordered Burgess to pay the fine in full by May 22.

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