The captain of the vessel on which dozens of cattle died after being exposed to severe weather during a Bass Strait crossing put commercial interests ahead of the welfare of the animals, a magistrate has ruled.
Shipmaster John McGee pleaded guilty last year to one count of using a method of management likely to result in unreasonable and unjustifiable pain and suffering over the 2016 voyage on the MV Statesman.
A total of 207 cattle were on board the Statesman, which left Stanley in Tasmania's north-west in January 2016 for Port Welshpool in Victoria.
Ten of them died during the crossing and another 59 had to be euthanased at port.
Some of the cattle were crushed to death beneath others, while others suffered from hypothermia.
In the Burnie Magistrates Court, magistrate Katie Edwards said McGee "placed the vulnerable animals in a position where they suffered greatly".
"They had nowhere to go and no ability to help themselves," she said.
"Commercial needs were placed above the needs of the welfare of the cattle."
The court had previously heard weather conditions on the trip ended up being worse than forecast, with the cattle exposed to the elements, including thunderstorms and gale-force winds.
Three large rogue waves, more than six metres high, smashed into the pens the cows were in.
"I accept that the outcome of this voyage was devastating for him [McGee]," magistrate Edwards said.
"There were a number of external pressures, but ultimately it was his decision."
Almost exactly seven years on from the voyage, the now 56-year-old was fined $15,000.
The court previously heard port authorities prevented the cattle from being unloaded until the situation was assessed by Victorian animal health authorities, which did not occur until more than six hours after the ship arrived.
The charge against McGee was the only one left stemming from the incident, with charges dropped against several other co-accused.
