January 22, 2008
Vancouver, B.C. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced today that
two recreational crab harvesters have been convicted of fishing illegally and fined
in two separate cases.
Mr. Minh Tai Tieu of Surrey was fined $3,000 in Vancouver provincial court
after pleading guilty to catching and retaining undersized Dungeness crabs, exceeding
the daily quota for crabs and obstructing a Fishery Officer. The Court also ordered
the forfeiture of Mr. Tieu's boat, motor and fishing gear with an approximate value
of $1,500.
On April 10, 2006, fishery officers observed Mr. Tieu fishing with recreational
crab traps in Burrard Inlet in Burnaby. The observations led officers to believe
that he was in possession of a large quantity of unmeasured crabs. His vehicle was
searched and fishery officers found a large bag of crabs hidden in the spare tire
well of his vehicle and in a sack which he had hidden in a ditch. A total of 37
Dungeness crabs were found, of which 27 were found to be under the legal size limit
of 165 millimetres in width. A boat, motor and fishing gear were seized and the
crabs were released back into Burrard Inlet.
The $3,000 in fines levied against Mr. Tieu will be used for promoting the conservation
and protection of fish or fish habitat. This was Mr. Tieu's first conviction under
the Fisheries Act.
In a separate case, Mr. Mustaj Ali of Surrey was fined $2,400 in Port
Coquitlam provincial court for possession of 47 undersized Dungeness crabs.
During the night of February 16, 2007, fishery officers oberved Mr. Ali while
he was recreational crab fishing in Burrard Inlet at the fishing dock of Belcarra
Regional Park. Fishery officers conducted an inspection of Mr. Ali's vehicle and
found 47 Dungeness crabs, all under the legal size limit of 165 millimetres in width.
All of his fishing gear was seized and the crabs were released back into Burrard
Inlet.
Recently, in Port Coquitlam provincial court, Mr. Ali appeared and pled guilty
to illegal possession of undersized Dungeness crab. This was his first conviction
under the Fisheries Act.
Crab must be measured immediately by harvesters after being caught and undersized
crab released without delay. DFO has set crab harvesting size restrictions to help
ensure that young crab have a chance to populate. The minimum size limit for Dungeness
crab is 165 millimetres in width.
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:
Kirsten Ruecker
Communications Advisor
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Pacific Region
(604) 666-2872
