Portal:United States Department of Justice

“ These leopard sharks were smuggled from California to profit-motivated dealers throughout the United States, and in Europe. But the work of our special agents here, and across the country illustrates that no matter where you are located, if you are illegally buying or selling protected wildlife you will be caught, and you will pay a price for breaking wildlife law,” said Paul Chang, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement, Pacific Region. ”

“ Six individuals have now been convicted and sentenced for knowingly catching thousands of undersized (under 36 inches in length) leopard sharks out of the San Francisco Bay and selling them to aquarium dealers in the U.S., the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. These defendants will pay the following amounts for wildlife restoration:
Kevin Thompson, the pastor of the Bay Area Family Church, will pay $100,000 in restitution. Ira Gass, 53, of Azusa, California, will pay $100,000 in restitution. Vincent Ng, 43, of Oakland, California, will pay $100,000 in restitution. ”

“ In January 1994, California leopard sharks were afforded extra protection under California State law when the California Department of Fish & Game Code placed a minimum size limit of 36 inches for any commercial take of the species within California jurisdiction. This size limit was implemented because the California leopard shark is a slow growing species that does not reach sexual maturity until between 7 to 13 years of age. The species may live as long as 30 years. ”