http://www.koinlocal6.com/news/loca...-have-permits-for/_Xl_Ou-CEEWVt14D3qt46Q.cspx
The co-owner of the Portland Aquarium in Milwaukie was arrested Thursday in Boise on charges of illegally harvesting marine life.
Ammon Covino, president of the Idaho Aquarium, and Christopher Conk, Idaho Aquarium secretary, were arrested Thursday.
Prosecutors in Idaho say the men bought four illegally harvested spotted eagle rays and two lemon sharks for approximately $6,300 and transported them to Idaho.
The men are each charged with one count of conspiracy and three counts of illegal purchase and sale of fish or wildlife. If convicted under the Lacey Act, they face up to five years in prison for each count. The federal Lacey Act makes it unlawful for any person to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire or purchase -- in interstate or foreign commerce -- any fish or wildlife taken, possessed or transported, or sold in violation of any law or regulation of any state.
They are accused of harvesting the animals from the Atlantic coast off southern Florida.
In December, Ammon Covino and his brother, Vince Covino, opened the Portland Aquarium at a former Black Angus Steakhouse on Southeast McLoughlin Boulevard. The 11,000-square-foot building sits on a 2-acre site.
Of the 2,200 different species currently inside the Portland Aquarium, not one requires a permit by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. However, the two exhibits that are vacant, for Puffins and River Otters, do.
The Portland Aquarium advertises the exhibits will open this spring.
However, when KOIN Local 6 talked to ODFW officials Friday they said the Portland Aquarium has yet to apply for permits for either of the animal varieties still to come. ODFW officials say they told Portland Aquarium owners, and staff members, of the steps to take to get the permits -- back in December.
The co-owner of the Portland Aquarium in Milwaukie was arrested Thursday in Boise on charges of illegally harvesting marine life.
Ammon Covino, president of the Idaho Aquarium, and Christopher Conk, Idaho Aquarium secretary, were arrested Thursday.
Prosecutors in Idaho say the men bought four illegally harvested spotted eagle rays and two lemon sharks for approximately $6,300 and transported them to Idaho.
The men are each charged with one count of conspiracy and three counts of illegal purchase and sale of fish or wildlife. If convicted under the Lacey Act, they face up to five years in prison for each count. The federal Lacey Act makes it unlawful for any person to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire or purchase -- in interstate or foreign commerce -- any fish or wildlife taken, possessed or transported, or sold in violation of any law or regulation of any state.
They are accused of harvesting the animals from the Atlantic coast off southern Florida.
In December, Ammon Covino and his brother, Vince Covino, opened the Portland Aquarium at a former Black Angus Steakhouse on Southeast McLoughlin Boulevard. The 11,000-square-foot building sits on a 2-acre site.
Of the 2,200 different species currently inside the Portland Aquarium, not one requires a permit by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. However, the two exhibits that are vacant, for Puffins and River Otters, do.
The Portland Aquarium advertises the exhibits will open this spring.
However, when KOIN Local 6 talked to ODFW officials Friday they said the Portland Aquarium has yet to apply for permits for either of the animal varieties still to come. ODFW officials say they told Portland Aquarium owners, and staff members, of the steps to take to get the permits -- back in December.
