Canadian repeat offender jailed for six years for illegal sea cucumber harvesting

A repeat offender with a history of serious fishing violations, Scott Steer, has been sentenced to a six-year jail term for the illegal harvesting and sale of sea cucumbers, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has announced.

The sentencing in the British Columbia Supreme Court follows Mr. Steer’s conviction on January 8, 2025, on multiple counts related to the unlawful operation, which took place between July 2019 and June 2020. The court found that his illegal activities resulted in the sale of over 87,000 pounds (39,463 kilograms) of sea cucumbers, generating more than $1 million in revenue.

In addition to the jail sentence, the court imposed a global fine of $1,105,718, for which Mr. Steer and his wife are jointly liable. All items seized during the investigation, including two vessels and two vehicles, were also ordered to be forfeited.

The DFO noted that Mr. Steer has an extensive history of fisheries violations. He was already under a court-ordered prohibition from 2016, banning him from being on any fishing vessel or applying for a fishing license until 2038. Despite this, the court found that he actively orchestrated the illegal operation, acquiring vessels, recruiting crew, and selling the unlawfully harvested sea cucumbers through what the judge determined was a "sham corporation".