Bait Dealer Fined $1,200 For Operating Without Licence
A Cobourg man has been fined $1,200 for harvesting and selling baitfish without a licence.
Anthony Fardella, owner of Shines Live Bait in Cobourg, pleaded guilty to the charges of harvesting and selling baitfish without renewing his licence and failure to submit an annual return.
Court heard that on January 23, 2009, a conservation officer inquired at Shines Live Bait about missing documents that Fardella was required to submit to the ministry. At that time, Fardella said he would no longer be selling or harvesting minnows. However, a follow-up inspection in July 2010 found the owner’s tanks full of minnows and revealed that he had been selling them without renewing his licence.
Justice of the Peace Allison Forestall heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Cobourg, on October 4, 2010.
Harvesting and selling baitfish are regulated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and requires a licence. The ministry reminds the public that conservation officers conduct routine checks to ensure that anglers and operators are obeying a variety of resource laws.
For further information on fishing regulations, please consult the 2010 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, available at ServiceOntario/Government Information Centres and from licence issuers, or 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).
Derrick Humber, Peterborough District, 705-755-3364
Kent Hodgin, Peterborough District, 705-755-3365
