Businessman Sentenced For Illegal Oyster Trafficking

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — A Maryland businessman convicted of trafficking in illegally possessed oysters is now headed to prison.

Prosecutors say 59-year-old Mark Bryan, of New Market, and his Delaware-based wholesale business, Harbor House Seafood, were sentenced Friday in federal court in New Jersey.

Bryan received a 26-month sentence and must serve three years of supervised release once he's freed. He also was fined $62,500 fine and must pay New Jersey $140,000 for the restoration of oyster beds in Delaware Bay.

Bryan's company, Harbor House was fined $250,000 and sentenced to five years of probation.

Bryan and his company were convicted in 2012 of multiple felony crimes related to dealings in illegal oysters from 2004-2007. Prosecutors say they conspired with two New Jersey oystermen to cover up the overharvest of oysters from the Delaware Bay and created false health and safety records.

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