October 11, 2013
ST. JOHN’S, NL – On October 2, 2013, William Carl Hopkins of Old Perlican was fined $30,000 for providing false information in the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Logbook from 2008 to 2010. Mr. Hopkins misreported crab catches between fishing areas. In addition to the fine, Provincial Court Judge Lori Marshall ordered Mr. Hopkins to report VMS positional data in 15 minute intervals for a period of three years while fishing snow crab. He was also ordered to forfeit the proceeds from 1,096 lbs of seized crab valued at $1479.60 to the Crown.
An investigation by fishery officers with DFO identified the false information as part of Operation Gearshift, a real-time and retrospective review of fishing activity in snow crab and northern shrimp fisheries. The Operation Gearshift investigation has resulted in convictions of dozens of fishers with the total amount of penalties (fines and forfeitures) exceeding $1 million.
In handing down the sentence, the court took into consideration a previous conviction of the individual.
The Government of Canada is committed to safeguarding the long-term health and productivity of Canada’s fisheries resources, and the habitat that supports them, for generations to come. Fisheries and Oceans Canada has a mandate to protect and conserve marine resources and to prosecute offenders under the Fisheries Act. It ensures and promotes compliance with the Act and other laws and regulations through a combination of land, air, and sea patrols, as well education and awareness activities.
Illegal fishing is a threat to the sustainability of important fishing resources. You can report suspicious fishing activity or violations of fish habitat by contacting your nearest Fisheries and Oceans Canada office. You may also contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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