CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : HANFORD : Migratory Bird Act Violations Alleged

F & F Fisheries of Hanford and its manager, Dennis Faria, have been charged with killing migratory birds, a violation of federal law, authorities said. F & F Fisheries, a commercial catfish farm, and Faria were accused of four counts of violating the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Federal investigators said the carcasses of 41 identifiable waterfowl protected under the federal law were found on the F & F Fisheries property during a search last February. Investigators said they believe that the birds were killed to prevent them from eating the catfish raised at the fishery. Court officials said that, if convicted, Faria and the fishery could be fined up to $20,000 for each of the four counts, and Faria could face a jail term.