A commercial vessel master from British Columbia has been fined $250,000 for illegally fishing in the Strait of Georgie Glass Sponge Reef Refuge near Sechelt. Following a protracted court case, the individual received the sentence on January 31, 2024.
The Honourable Judge S.M. Merrick presided over the case and ordered the individual to pay the fine and forfeit all seized gear, with an estimated value of $80,000.
The vessel master had been found guilty on May 24, 2023, of 13 violations of Canada’s Fisheries Act. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Conservation and Protection fishery officers seized the prawn traps belonging to the vessel master’s commercial fishing vessel, Darkstar, on July 2 and July 3, 2020. The traps had been illegally set in the Strait of Georgia Glass Sponge Reef Marine Refuges near Sechelt. This area is protected and strictly closed to all prawn fishing due to its highly sensitive habitat.
A subsequent investigation revealed that the individual also violated the conditions of his commercial license between July 2 and September 24, 2020. These include hauling gear before 7 am, failing to keep accurate logbooks, providing records in the required time, and having non-compliant buoys with the Fisheries Act regulations.
During the sentencing hearing, a member of the shíshálh Nation read an impact statement outlining the Nation’s concerns about illegal fishing in the Glass Sponge Reef, a globally unique marine refuge. DFO expert witness Dr. Anya Dunham also testified and provided scientific evidence of the harm caused by illegal fishing activity in the protected area.
DFO’s mandate is to protect and conserve marine resources and enforce the Fisheries Act. As part of its efforts to prevent and disrupt illegal activity, the Department invites the public to report any information on activities of this nature or any violation of the Fisheries Act and regulations. Anyone with information can contact the DFO Pacific region’s toll-free violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336 or email the details to DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
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