Fury as cherished penguins die in nets

OUTRAGED bird lovers and environmental groups have called for authorities to throw the book at commercial shark fishermen following the deaths of 23 fairy penguins in Port Phillip Bay yesterday.

In what has been described as the worst act of environmental vandalism since rogue fishermen shot dozens of seals off Wilsons Promontory last August, the penguins drowned in fishing nets set about 15 kilometres north-east of Queenscliff.