VANCOUVER, B.C. – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced today that Gordon Chun Lee and Guo Can Li, residents of Vancouver and Chilliwack, have pled guilty to unlawful possession of crab. Both individuals were fined a total of $5,000.

In October 2005, fishery officers observed suspect fishing activity in the Burrard Inlet area. The suspect fishing activity consisted of individuals actively searching and pulling up crab gear in several locations late at night. Surveillance of the fishing activity resulted in the apprehension of the individuals at the boat launch. Upon inspection of the vessel, fishery officers found and seized fishing gear and 46 crabs, most of which were undersized.

On November 24, 2005 in Port Coquitlam provincial court, Mr. Lee and Mr. Li pled guilty and received a total fine of $5,000, of which $4,800 will be directed towards DFO for the purpose of public education and management of fishery resources. The remaining $200 will go to the provincial court registry. In addition, the vessel, fishing gear and trailer were forfeited to the Crown.

When fishing for crab in the Lower Mainland area, people are required to have a valid B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence. All crabs must be measured immediately after being caught and undersized crab need to be released without delay. The recreational harvest legal daily limit for Dungeness or Red Rock crab is four in the South Coast area. Dungeness crab must measure at least 165 millimetres in width and Red Rock crab must measure at least 115 millimetres in width.

Crab harvesting size restrictions and daily limits are in place to help ensure that young crabs have a chance to mature and populate. Regulations are likely to change in-season, and it is your responsibility to know the regulations prior to fishing. Please contact your local DFO office, call 604-666-2828, or visit the recreational web site at www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish for any recent regulation changes.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is extremely concerned with illegal activity and asks for assistance from the general public for information on activities of this nature or any contravention of the Fisheries Act and Regulations. Anyone with information can call the toll-free Observe, Record, and Report violation reporting line at-1-800-465-4336.

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For more information:
Jeanette Lam
Communications Advisor
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
(604) 666-2872