March 11, 2008
Prince Rupert, B.C. - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced today that two Area A recreational crab harvesters have been convicted of fisheries offences and fined in two separate cases.
Mr. Bjorn A. Johnson of Prince Rupert was fined $1,000 in Prince Rupert provincial court after pleading guilty to violating the conditions of his licence by failing to use proper rot cord to secure the hinged lid of his crab traps. This condition is mandatory to prevent crab from being killed in traps that are lost or abandoned. The rot cord will disintegrate and release tension on the lid of the trap, allowing crab to escape. Mr. Johnson was fined $100 and ordered to pay an additional $900 in support of efforts to promote the proper management and conservation of crab habitat and the crab fishery.
In a separate incident, Mr. Hien Van Truong of Prince Rupert was fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to failing to fish his gear as required by the fishery regulations within the mandatory 18-day limit. All crab traps must be fished at least once in an 18-day period in order to prevent possible damage to the crab resource. Mr. Van Truong was fined $100 and ordered to pay an additional $1,400 in support of efforts to promote the proper management and conservation of crab habitat and the crab fishery.
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
