October 2, 2006
Vancouver Illegal crab fishing activity in Burrard Inlet in Burnaby, B.C., resulted in a total of more than $7,100 in fines for four recreational fishers in two separate cases, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced today.
In June 2006, Yuan Qing Li and Xiao Feng Sun were stopped by a fishery officer as they were leaving the Barnet Marine Park parking lot. The two men had been fishing for crabs and produced licences as well as a bucket of eight crabs (the legal limit for two fishers). As driver of the vehicle, Mr. Sun was asked if there were any more crabs in their possession, to which he replied "no". An inspection of the vehicle uncovered a total of 20 Dungeness crabs, 16 of which were undersized.
In Vancouver provincial court, Mr. Li of Richmond, B.C., pled guilty to exceeding the daily quota of crabs, and catching and retaining undersized Dungeness crabs. He received a total fine of $2,100, a one-year prohibition from fishing, and forfeiture of an inflatable boat and crab traps (valued at $300). Mr. Sun of Vancouver also pled guilty to exceeding the daily quota of crabs, and catching and retaining undersized Dungeness crabs. He received a total fine of $2,850, which included a fine of $900 for making a false statement to a fishery officer. Mr. Sun is also prohibited from fishing for one year.
In a separate case, in April 2006, fishery officers observed Chen-Cheng Chen and Jian Zhong Wang fishing for crabs at the foot of Penzance Road in Burnaby (Burrard Inlet). Mr. Chen was observed fishing with four crab traps (only two traps are permitted by regulation). An inspection of a vehicle found 41 crabs, of which 35 were undersized Dungeness crabs and six were legal sized Red Rock crabs. In addition, neither fisher possessed a valid tidal waters fishing licence.
In Vancouver provincial court, Mr. Chen and Mr. Wang, both residents of Burnaby, pled guilty to possessing fish caught in contravention of the regulations and fishing without a licence. Mr. Wang received a $1,000 fine and Mr. When, who also pled guilty to fishing with more than two crab traps, received a total fine of $1,200.
The Burrard Inlet/Indian Arm area suffers from chronic illegal crab fishing activity. Current research shows that crab stocks in this area are at extremely low levels and it is likely that a significant factor in the decline of crab populations is illegal fishing. Size limits and daily limits for crabs are in place all along the B.C. coast and harvesters are reminded to know the limits prior to fishing.
DFO acts to end illegal fishing activity. As part of this work, the Department is asking the general public for information on activities of this nature or any contravention of the
Fisheries Act and Regulations. Anyone with information can call the toll-free violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Michelle Imbeau
Communications Advisor
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
(604) 666-2872
