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NR-PR-04-065e |
November 9, 2004 |
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ILLEGAL OYSTER HARVEST IN DELTA RESULTS IN $1,000 FINE Delta, B.C. - Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced today that a resident of Surrey has been fined for harvesting shellfish from a closed area. On May 18, 2004, while conducting a compliance patrol on contaminated shellfish in Delta, a fishery officer observed some unusual behaviour near the BC Ferry Terminal. Hoai Long Pham was observed carrying two bulky plastic bags and placing them into the trunk of a vehicle. On inspection, it was found that the bags contained 52 oysters. The shellfish were seized and returned to the water. Recently, in Surrey provincial court, Mr. Pham received a $1,000 fine. The tidal waters in Lower Mainland are closed all year to the harvest of bivalve shellfish (including clams, oysters, scallops, mussels, etc.) due to contamination. Harvesting bivalve shellfish from a closed area is not only a violation of the Fisheries Act but can also be a serious health risk. Crab and shrimp are not affected by this contamination. 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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