Public Tip on Illegal Harvest Leads to Fines for Three

News Release

May 10, 2007
VANCOUVER - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced today
that three Vancouver residents plead guilty and were fined for harvesting and possessing
clams from a closed area near Tillicum Bay, B.C. in Sechelt Inlet.
On January 27, 2007, DFO received a call from a concerned citizen
who had observed three people harvesting large quantities of clams from a beach
closed due to Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP or "Red Tide"). Fishery officers
intercepted the individuals and their vehicle at the Langdale Ferry Terminal and
found eight five-gallon pails of clams (approximately 300 lbs). Da Teng Zhou, Shu
Chou Zhou and Kam Ming Leung were subsequently charged with fishing and possession
of clams harvested from a closed area. The clams were seized and returned to the
water.
Recently, in Sechelt Provincial Court, Mr. Zhou, Mr. Zhou and
Mr. Leung plead guilty and each received a $1,000 fine.
The aggregate daily limit for clams is 75. However, it is illegal
to harvest shellfish from contaminated areas. Eating contaminated shellfish can
cause serious illness; cooking does not destroy the PSP toxin. Proper documentation
must accompany commercially-harvested shellfish to demonstrate that it has been
harvested legally and inspected appropriately.
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

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Public Tip on Illegal Harvest Leads to Fines for Three

News Release

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