HOUSTON (AP) - —  A judge has sentenced a Texas fish farmer to 18 months of probation for killing 90 brown pelicans, a protected bird species.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson said Tuesday that Khan Vu and his Palacios, Texas-based fish farm, Seaside Aquaculture, were fined $5,000 each for the killings. Vu will also pay $40,000 to the Texas
Parks and Wildlife Foundation.
 

The case followed a joint investigation by TPWD and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They say they found many bird carcasses on Vu's property, including pelicans, 17 great blue herons and five
great egrets. They say they also found shell casings.
 

The defense argued the birds had died after running into power lines. But Vu admitted to shooting six pelicans to so they wouldn't eat his fish.

Information from Associated Press