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A commercial fisherman operating the vessel Darkstar, based in Sechelt, British Columbia, Canada, has been ordered to pay a fine of CAD 250,000 (USD 185,000, EUR 170,600) and forfeit approximately CAD 80,000 (USD 59,200, EUR 54,600) worth of gear. This penalty follows the individual's conviction on 13 violations of Canada’s Fisheries Act for unlawfully setting prawn traps within the Strait of Georgia Glass Sponge Reef Marine Refuges, designated areas closed to prawn fishing.
The unnamed individual was found guilty in May 2023 for offenses committed between July and September 2020. In April 2022, the individual pleaded guilty to seven offenses, with a judge subsequently finding them guilty of six additional crimes, including early gear hauling, inaccurate logbook keeping, failure to provide records promptly, and use of non-compliant buoys.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) emphasized the importance of protecting British Columbia's ancient glass sponge reefs, which are unique ecosystems boasting high biodiversity and serving as vital habitats for various marine species. The reefs, located in the Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound, are particularly sensitive to human-induced disturbances. The DFO implements measures through initiatives like the Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound Conservation Initiative to safeguard and conserve these reefs.
Furthermore, on 20 February 2024, the DFO announced the outcome of a routine inspection conducted in January 2023 at Tenshi Seafood Limited, a commercial seafood processing plant in Richmond, British Columbia. Undersized Dungeness crab were discovered during the inspection, resulting in a fine of CAD 40,000 (USD 29,600, EUR 27,300) for the company. This amount exceeded typical fines due to a prior significant infraction committed by Tenshi Seafood, which was fined CAD 75,000 (USD 55,500, EUR 51,200) in January 2020 for obstructing a DFO investigation.
DFO underscored the importance of adhering to fishing rules and regulations outlined in Canada's Fisheries Act, particularly for the conservation of Dungeness crab stocks. The harvest of undersized crab poses a significant threat to the conservation efforts of Dungeness crab, which holds cultural significance for Indigenous communities and supports the livelihoods of commercial crab harvesters. Size limits, such as the 165-millimeter threshold for male Dungeness crab, serve as critical conservation measures to sustain harvestable crab populations.
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