Fish Dealer Convicted Of Selling Illegal Asian Carp

A wholesale fish dealer from Platteville has been convicted of illegally selling a destructive invasive species. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Ping Li, co-owner and sole operator of Li Fish Farm LLC, illegally sold Asian carp in Madison. He was convicted in Grant County and Dane County circuit courts of two misdemeanor crimes and 17 forfeiture violations under a plea deal. According to a release, he was ordered to pay more than $13,000 in penalties. The release states that the charges related to the first case in Wisconsin involving illegal sales of Asian carp, an invasive species that outcompetes native fish species and can destroy their habitats. The fish is considered a major threat to the Great Lakes’ $7 billion fishing industry. Li also violated the law when he used an unmarked refrigerated van to transport and deliver most of the illegal carp, making it difficult to identify it as a wholesale fish dealer vehicle.