REPEAT OFFENDER RECEIVES JAIL TIME FOR ILLEGAL OYSTER HARVEST

Vancouver - Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced today that a Vancouver resident has been sentenced to 30 days in jail for the illegal harvest of oysters from a closed area.

On April 17, 2004, fishery officers observed Meng Touch Goy illegally harvesting oysters near the Tsawwassen Ferry Causeway, an area closed to bivalve shellfish harvesting.  On inspection, Mr. Goy was found in possession of 175 oysters, all hidden in his jacket.  Two years ago, Mr. Goy was caught and ticketed by fishery officers for the same offence in the same area.

The entire Lower Mainland is closed to bivalve shellfish harvesting (shellfish with two shells, such as oysters, mussels, clams, and rock-, swimming-, and weathervane-scallops) due to sewage contamination or Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) or "Red Tide."

Harvesting bivalve shellfish from a closed area is not only a violation of the Fisheries Act but also places one's health at risk.  Shellfish that have been legally commercially harvested and have been through the necessary health and safety inspections have minimal risk.  Proper documentation must accompany commercially harvested shellfish.

On August 13, 2004, in Surrey provincial court, Mr. Goy was found guilty of possession of illegally caught fish or shellfish.  He was sentenced to 30 days in jail to be served intermittently.

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, Report violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336.

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For more information:

Michelle Imbeau
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
(604) 666-2872