The total value of the "black fish" sold at the port during nine months of 2002 was £128,000.
Judge Philip Wassall told the 14 defendants that serious offences had been committed in complex, deliberate and well organised deceptions, which amounted in his opinion to a conspiracy with the Cornwall Fish Producers partnership, of which they were members, at its hub.
Paperwork created by buyers reflected the species they had bought but those in control of the operation created a trail of false paperwork which was very difficult to detect.
"I am sure these offences could not have been committed without the active connivance of at least one employee of the partnership and the master concerned," declared the Judge.
"There is no evidence that the owners were directly involved, but they were responsible for the vessels and benefited either directly or indirectly as a result."
Quota regulations had to be obeyed. The false descriptions of the species landed was not an alternative to fish being discarded as the offences were committed at the start of the quota year when there would been no need to do so.
"The motive behind these offences was, I am sure, profit to be made by owners and masters as landings treated as non-quota would allow for a greater level of quota to be available later in the year.
"I have lived in Devon and Cornwall long enough to realise just how hard it is to earn a living, not only for those who work on vessels in rough conditions, but regulations have to be complied with," said Judge Wassall. "Something has to be done to deal with what is undoubtedly a very difficult situation to preserve stocks."
The court had to balance the need to deter such serious offending with an individual's ability to pay the fines and costs. He took the view that the level of penalties should not be such as to cripple the defendant or lead to the necessary sale of a vessel or quota.
The highest penalties were imposed on Barney Thomas, aged 56, and Cynthia Thomas, 54, of Lelant. The owners of the Carol H and the Ajax, they were each fined £18,500 plus £16,516 costs - a total of £69,516.
Philip Mitchell, of Newlyn, master of the Carol H, was fined £14,000 plus £10,698 and Raymond Knight, of Manaccan, master of the Ajax was fined £2,400 plus £2,500 costs.
Arthur Williams, 47, and 72-year-old Leonard Williams, owners of the Girl Patricia and both living in Newlyn, were each fined £9,000 with £7,018 costs.
Donald Turtle, 83 and Joan Turtle, 71, both of Newlyn and owners of the Ben Loyal, were each fined £3,300 with £1,000 costs and the master, John Turtle, 47, of Heamoor, was fined £11,000 plus £4,150 costs.
Drew Davies, 40, of Goldsithney, master of the CKS, was fined £6,000 plus £7,432 costs.
Jonathan Hicks, 50,and Doreen Hicks, 83, both of Newlyn and owners of the Ben-My-Chree, were each fined £2,000 with £1,500 costs and the master, James Hicks, 54, also of Newlyn, was fined £4,000 plus £3,926 costs.
Auctioneer Julian Bick, aged 44, who was employed by Stevenson and Sons of Newlyn at the time, was fined £12,000 plus £6,113 costs.
Stevensons are to be sentenced later for failing to record details of sales accurately.
article copyright WESTERN MORNING NEWS