Illegal Possession of Sturgeon Proves Costly
Three southern Ontario residents have been fined $750 each for catching and keeping lake sturgeon.
Jeffery Warner of St. Catharines, Waldemar Nawrot of Fonthill and Johann Nawrot of Thorold all pleaded guilty to catching and retaining fish that have a zero possession limit.
Between September 15 and 18, 2009, Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers from Hearst District and the Special Investigations Services Unit conducted an investigation after receiving information from members of the public. The officers determined that the three men had illegally caught and kept three lake sturgeon north of Kapuskasing. DNA evidence obtained by the officers helped determine the total number of fish.
The lake sturgeon of Southern Hudson Bay-James Bay is a species of special concern in Ontario. Lake sturgeon in other areas of Ontario are considered threatened species.
Justice of the Peace Dolores Boyuk heard the cases in the Ontario Court of Justice, Kapuskasing, on August 23, 2010.
The ministry reminds the public that fishing regulations are in place to ensure a sustainable fishery. For information regarding fishing limits, please consult the 2010 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary available from licence issuers, Service Ontario/ 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) toll-free any time or contact your local ministry officer 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
