A Wheatley commercial fishing company has been fined $15,900 for commercial fishing violations.
The Great Lakes Fish Corporation, owner of commercial fishing licences, pleaded guilty to four counts of violating the terms and conditions of a commercial fishing licence and one count of submitting an inaccurate document. This was the second time the company was fined in one day, and the second time it was fined for quota violations in 2010.
Investigations conducted by Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers found that during the 2008 fishing season, the Great Lakes Fish Corporation exceeded quotas for yellow perch, walleye and lake whitefish on four of its commercial fishing licences. A total of 907 kg of yellow perch, 2,947 kg of walleye and 45 kg of lake whitefish was harvested in excess of the quota assigned to the company’s four licences. The corporation was fined $12,900 for excess quotas and $3,000 for submitting a falsified quota transfer document to the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Justice of the Peace Calvin Hurst heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, in Windsor, on March 15, 2010.
To report a natural resource violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Kevin Sprague, Lake Erie Enforcement Unit, 519-825-3168
David Beneteau, Lake Erie Enforcement Unit, 519-825-4297
