Over-Fishing Nets High Fines and Equipment Forfeiture
A Kapuskasing man has been fined a total of $2,000 for over-fishing walleye.
Ron Ouellette pleaded guilty to possessing too many fish, an offence under the Ontario Fishery Regulations, and obstruction of a conservation officer, an offence under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. He was fined, received a four-year fishing licence suspension and forfeited his boat, trailer, and fishing equipment to the Crown. He was fined an additional $1,000 for obstructing a conservation officer.
Court heard that on June 15, 2008, after a lengthy investigation, Hearst District conservation officers arrested Ouellette at the Kapuskasing River Landing, north of the Town of Kapuskasing. At the time, Ouellette was in possession of 24 fish – which is 20 over the legal limit for the area.
Justice of the Peace Jean Marie Blier heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Kapuskasing, on December 16, 2009.
Fishing limits are in place to ensure healthy fish communities so anglers and other users may enjoy the resource in the future.
For information regarding fishing limits, please consult the 2010 Ontario 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 District, 705-372-2220
