MIDLAND, ONTARIO– On June 16, 2011, Douglas Jones and Donald Jones were each fined $7,500 after pleading guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice to one count of violating Subsection 35(1) of the Fisheries Act for “the harmful alteration, disruption, or destruction of fish habitat”. Douglas Jones was fined an additional $5,000 for one count of violating Subsection 29(1) of the Fisheries Act for “unduly obstructing the passage of fish”. The offences occurred in Thunder Creek in the Township of Tiny.
The court heard that between February 25, 2009 and July 31, 2009 works were carried out on Thunder Creek at the direction of Douglas Jones and Donald Jones. These works involved using heavy machinery to infill the creek with rock at its outflow into Georgian Bay. Subsequent infilling continued by Douglas Jones between September 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010. These works resulted in a barrier being created, preventing migratory rainbow trout from reaching critical spawning habitat upstream.
At the request of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the court ordered the total fine amount of $20,000 to be directed to North Simcoe Stewardship to be used to carry out fish habitat enhancement in the North Simcoe County/Georgian Bay area. The creek has since been restored to its previous function and rainbow trout have successfully migrated to the creek’s critical reaches this spring.
Prior to undertaking any work in or around water, Fisheries and Oceans Canada encourages the public to ensure that they have all necessary permits, approvals or authorizations from municipal, provincial, and federal agencies and authorities.
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For Broadcast:
Two Thunder Beach, Ontario residents were fined a total of $20,000 after pleading guilty to violating the Fisheries Act. The charges were laid after unauthorized works to Thunder Creek caused damage to critical Rainbow Trout spawning habitat. The total fine amount will be directed to North Simcoe Stewardship to be used to carry out fish habitat enhancement in the area.
For more information:
Hilary Prince
Regional Communications Manager
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Central and Arctic Region
905-336-4974
Lawrence Swift
Regional Director, Communications
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Central and Arctic Region
519-383-1830
