Over Fishing Proves Costly with fines of $6,250
Eight southern Ontario men have been fined a total of $6,250 after pleading guilty on November 24 2009 to over fishing walleye near Hearst, Ontario.
The men pleaded guilty to the offence of possessing too many fish, an offence under the Ontario Fishery Regulations.
On June 9, 2009, Hearst District conservation officers responded to public complaints of over fishing in the Oba area, south of Hearst. Once there, officers investigated the group of anglers and determined that the group was in possession of 25 fish over the legal limit for walleye in the fishery management unit.
The ministry reminds the public that fishing limits are in place to maintain a sustainable fishery so that anglers and other users may enjoy the resource in the future.
For information regarding fishing limits, please consult the 2008-2009 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary available from licence issuers, ServiceOntario/ Government Information Centres and on the ministry’s website at ontario.ca/fishing.
To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) any time or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Ken Ukrainetz, Hearst Enforcement Unit, 705-372-2220
