Four family members admit landing more than £6.5m in black fish scam

Black fish: Four fishermen admitted their part in the £6.5m scam.

Four fishermen who are members of the same extended family have pleaded guilty to landing more than £6.5m worth of “black fish” in an illegal scam.

Lerwick-based Shetland Catch Ltd and Alexander Buchan Ltd, in Peterhead, admitted overfishing between 2002 and 2006, and falsely declared the quantity of fish they landed, at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday.

Skipper Andrew Tait, 50, master of the Chris Andra, Taits and Conquest, made undeclared landings to the value of £1.6m.

William Whyte Tait, 50, master of the Conquest, Taits and Challenge, made undeclared landings to the value of £1.5m, and Robert Tait, 45, Master of the Taits, Chris Andra and Challenge, made undeclared landings to the £1.7m.

Peter Tait, 44, master of the Taits, Chris Andra, Conquest and Challenge, made undeclared landings of fish to the value of £1.5m.

Lindsey Miller, head of the Serious and Organised Crime Division, said: "These prosecutions should send a clear message that there is no place in Scotland for those who want a lifestyle funded by crime.”

Detective superintendent Gordon Gibson, who led this investigation, said: "These four men were an organised crime group who committed crimes for huge financial gain over a prolonged period. They were highly organised and clearly knew what they were doing and that this was wrong however they chose to put their own greed ahead of the law.

“I hope by their appearance in court today this demonstrates to them, and others who may ponder similar conduct, that it was and will not be tolreated."

Cephas Ralph, of Marine Scotland, said: "The recording of this guilty plea today marks another important milestone in this long and difficult enquiry and I am very proud of the professionalism and dedication my officers have shown in getting us to this stage.”

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