On January 31, 2024, sentencing was handed down to the vessel master of the commercial prawn fishing vessel Darkstar, after a long-running court case.
The Honourable Judge S.M. Merrick sentenced the individual to pay a fine of $250,000 and forfeit all gear seized (with an approximate value of $80,000) after previously finding him guilty on May 24, 2023, of a total of 13 violations of Canada’s Fisheries Act.
Pacific salmon hold tremendous value for natural ecosystems, cultural and spiritual practices, jobs and income, and recreational enjoyment along the coast and inland watersheds of British Columbia.
Richmond, BC - A routine inspection of commercial seafood processing plants by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) fishery officers in January 2023 resulted in a fine of $40,000. On December 6, 2023, Tenshi Seafood Limited was handed down the fine in Richmond Provincial Court after pleading guilty to the possession of undersize crabs by a commercial business, which is a violation of Canada’s Fisheries Act.
As a result of an investigation by Fishery Officers with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), an individual from the Belleville, Ontario area was recently sentenced in the Ontario Court of Justice for violations of the Fisheries Act.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is committed to preventing the introduction, establishment, and spread of aquatic invasive species, including Zebra and Quagga Mussels. In May 2023, DFO announced $8.75 million in contribution funding over five years as part of the newly created Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund (AISPF). The AISPF funds eligible organizations and projects that focus on preventing the introduction and establishment of aquatic invasive species across Canada.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) manages Canada's fisheries and enforces the regulations related to the harvest, purchase, sale and possession of fish to provide for a safe, orderly, and sustainable fishery for all.
The Government of Canada recognizes that some fisheries in Quebec and Atlantic Canada are facing serious challenges, including climate change and the resulting disruption of aquatic ecosystems. Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, announced a transition plan that will help fish harvesters in Canada’s coastal communities, and give them the predictability they need to continue their important work in the years ahead.
In a special ceremony at the Atlantic Police Academy in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) celebrated the success and achievements of the latest troop of graduates from its Fishery Officer Initial Training Program.
Vancouver, BC – Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, and the BC Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, the Honourable Nathan Cullen, announced $86,119,340 for 58 projects receiving funding under the second phase of the British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund (BCSRIF).
With the longest coastline in the world, Canada’s coastal communities rely on the fish and seafood industry as an integral contributor to local and regional economies.
