Five Seine Vessel Skippers in the 2007 North Coast Salmon Fishery Convicted
April 17, 2008
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Prince Rupert, B.C. - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced today that its enforcement activities have led to the conviction of five seine vessel skippers for violations under the Fisheries Act. All five were convicted for failing to brail fish in the 2007 North Coast seine salmon fishery.
Mr. Roy Manning of Delta, the skipper of the Pacific Aggressor, was convicted and fined $750 on January 15, 2008, in Richmond provincial court after pleading guilty to violating the conditions of his licence on July 23, 2007, for failing to brail fish.
Mr. Mark Wells of Courtenay, the skipper of the Semidi, was convicted on November 8, 2007, in Courtenay provincial court after pleading guilty to violating the conditions of his licence on July 23, 2007, for failing to brail fish. Mr. Wells was fined $1,000, including a $900 fine that will go towards "promoting the proper management and control of fisheries or fish habitat or the conservation and protection of fish or fish habitat."
Mr. Lawrence A. Atchison of Prince Rupert, the skipper of the Miss Cory, was convicted on October 22, 2007, in Prince Rupert provincial court after pleading guilty to violating the conditions of his licence on July 24, 2007, for failing to brail fish. Mr. Atchison was fined $1,000 including a $900 fine that will go towards "promoting the proper management and control of fisheries or fish habitat or the conservation and protection of fish or fish habitat."
Mr. Franklin Clifton of Prince Rupert, the skipper of the Western Lady was convicted on February 12, 2008, in Prince Rupert provincial court after pleading guilty to violating the conditions of his licence on July 24, 2007, for failing to brail fish. Mr. Clifton was fined $975, including a $900 fine that will go towards "promoting the proper management and control of fisheries or fish habitat or the conservation and protection of fish or fish habitat."
Mr. Wayne S.F. Birch of Delta, the skipper of the Nita Dawn, was convicted on January 28, 2008, in Prince Rupert provincial court after pleading guilty to violating the conditions of his licence on August 21, 2007, for failing to brail fish. Mr. Birch was fined $1,075, including a $1,000 fine that will go towards "promoting the proper management and control of fisheries or fish habitat or the conservation and protection of fish or fish habitat."
The brailing technique, which removes fish from the purse seine net by means of a large dip net, reduces the stress and crushing effect on fish. It was implemented into the seine fishery to improve the chances of survival for weaker salmon stocks, and its use has resulted in increased fishing opportunities for seines on the coast.
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.
April 17, 2008
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Prince Rupert, B.C. - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced today that its enforcement activities have led to the conviction of five seine vessel skippers for violations under the Fisheries Act. All five were convicted for failing to brail fish in the 2007 North Coast seine salmon fishery.
Mr. Roy Manning of Delta, the skipper of the Pacific Aggressor, was convicted and fined $750 on January 15, 2008, in Richmond provincial court after pleading guilty to violating the conditions of his licence on July 23, 2007, for failing to brail fish.
Mr. Mark Wells of Courtenay, the skipper of the Semidi, was convicted on November 8, 2007, in Courtenay provincial court after pleading guilty to violating the conditions of his licence on July 23, 2007, for failing to brail fish. Mr. Wells was fined $1,000, including a $900 fine that will go towards "promoting the proper management and control of fisheries or fish habitat or the conservation and protection of fish or fish habitat."
Mr. Lawrence A. Atchison of Prince Rupert, the skipper of the Miss Cory, was convicted on October 22, 2007, in Prince Rupert provincial court after pleading guilty to violating the conditions of his licence on July 24, 2007, for failing to brail fish. Mr. Atchison was fined $1,000 including a $900 fine that will go towards "promoting the proper management and control of fisheries or fish habitat or the conservation and protection of fish or fish habitat."
Mr. Franklin Clifton of Prince Rupert, the skipper of the Western Lady was convicted on February 12, 2008, in Prince Rupert provincial court after pleading guilty to violating the conditions of his licence on July 24, 2007, for failing to brail fish. Mr. Clifton was fined $975, including a $900 fine that will go towards "promoting the proper management and control of fisheries or fish habitat or the conservation and protection of fish or fish habitat."
Mr. Wayne S.F. Birch of Delta, the skipper of the Nita Dawn, was convicted on January 28, 2008, in Prince Rupert provincial court after pleading guilty to violating the conditions of his licence on August 21, 2007, for failing to brail fish. Mr. Birch was fined $1,075, including a $1,000 fine that will go towards "promoting the proper management and control of fisheries or fish habitat or the conservation and protection of fish or fish habitat."
The brailing technique, which removes fish from the purse seine net by means of a large dip net, reduces the stress and crushing effect on fish. It was implemented into the seine fishery to improve the chances of survival for weaker salmon stocks, and its use has resulted in increased fishing opportunities for seines on the coast.
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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