Convictions and Fines in Two White Sturgeon Cases
February 12, 2008
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Vancouver, B.C. – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced today that two recreational fishers have been convicted and fined for fishing for white sturgeon with a barbed hook. In two separate incidents, Mr. Andrei Vorozhbit of Surrey and Mr. Mihail Siklodi of Port Coquitlam were each fined $250 in Port Coquitlam provincial court after pleading guilty to failing to comply with the conditions of their tidal water sport fishing licences. The Court also ordered the forfeiture of their fishing gear, worth approximately $350 in each case, and prohibited them from fishing anywhere in British Columbia for one year.
On September 29, 2007, fishery officers observed Mr. Vorozhbit fishing with sturgeon fishing gear in the tidal portion of the Fraser River near Pitt Meadows. Upon further inspection, it was found that he was fishing with a barbed hook. On the same day, Mr. Siklodi was also observed fishing in the tidal portion of the Fraser River near Pitt Meadows, and found to be fishing with sturgeon fishing gear equipped with a barbed hook.
The lower Fraser River population of white sturgeon has been identified as an endangered species by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, and DFO has implemented fishing restrictions to protect them. The use of barbed hooks is prohibited because it can lead to the mortality of sturgeon and the decline of the stock. Barbless hooks minimize the injury sustained by the fish through capture and ease in the release of the sturgeon. Fishing for sturgeon in the lower Fraser River is limited to a catch and release fishery. The white sturgeon is the largest, longest-lived freshwater fish species in North America. It can reach a maximum length of over six metres and live for over 100 years.
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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February 12, 2008
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Vancouver, B.C. – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced today that two recreational fishers have been convicted and fined for fishing for white sturgeon with a barbed hook. In two separate incidents, Mr. Andrei Vorozhbit of Surrey and Mr. Mihail Siklodi of Port Coquitlam were each fined $250 in Port Coquitlam provincial court after pleading guilty to failing to comply with the conditions of their tidal water sport fishing licences. The Court also ordered the forfeiture of their fishing gear, worth approximately $350 in each case, and prohibited them from fishing anywhere in British Columbia for one year.
On September 29, 2007, fishery officers observed Mr. Vorozhbit fishing with sturgeon fishing gear in the tidal portion of the Fraser River near Pitt Meadows. Upon further inspection, it was found that he was fishing with a barbed hook. On the same day, Mr. Siklodi was also observed fishing in the tidal portion of the Fraser River near Pitt Meadows, and found to be fishing with sturgeon fishing gear equipped with a barbed hook.
The lower Fraser River population of white sturgeon has been identified as an endangered species by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, and DFO has implemented fishing restrictions to protect them. The use of barbed hooks is prohibited because it can lead to the mortality of sturgeon and the decline of the stock. Barbless hooks minimize the injury sustained by the fish through capture and ease in the release of the sturgeon. Fishing for sturgeon in the lower Fraser River is limited to a catch and release fishery. The white sturgeon is the largest, longest-lived freshwater fish species in North America. It can reach a maximum length of over six metres and live for over 100 years.
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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