BLIND RIVER, ONTARIO - William Jesse Sutherland of Midland Ontario, has been fined a total of $22,500 for failure to comply with a court order under section 79(6) of the Fisheries Act.
A $7,500 fine was handed down for each of three counts under the Act. The charges were related to a court order on an earlier conviction under Section 35(1) of the Fisheries Act, relating to the “harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat.” When Mr. Sutherland failed to meet the conditions of the court order, the Crown moved forward with additional charges related to failure to comply.
The original offence occurred on an unnamed watercourse immediately upstream of Little Lake in the Township of Striker, northeast of Blind River, Ontario. In the summer of 2002, Sutherland was investigated for installing a culvert in the watercourse and placing fill material in the watercourse and adjacent wetland. The area covered by the infill is approximately 240 square metres.
The habitat that was lost was excellent spawning, nursery and feeding grounds for fish species including pike, small mouth bass, sunfish, perch and brown bullhead.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is committed to the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat through public awareness, regulations, partnerships and, where necessary, enforcement action. Prior to undertaking any work in or around water, members of the public are encouraged by Fisheries and Oceans Canada to ensure they have all the necessary permits, approvals and authorizations from municipal, provincial and federal agencies and authorities.
-30-
