DFO SEIZES LARGE AMOUNT OF ABALONE IN B.C.

Prince Rupert, B.C.  – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced today that fishery officers have apprehended three individuals for illegally possessing 1,120 kilograms (2,470 pounds) of Northern abalone, numbering an estimated 11,000 molluscs.

This is the largest amount of Northern abalone ever seized in British Columbia.  Fishery officers seized the suspect commercial vessel and vehicle, and the three individuals are expected to appear in court to face charges.  Following the seizure, a crew of fishery officers and fishery biologists spent two days reseeding the live abalone back into the water to prevent mortalities.  The progress of the Northern abalone is being monitored.

In 2005, there were three Northern abalone cases, in which all individuals were convicted.  Some individuals were fined $25,000 and $35,000.  Others were sentenced to perform 80 hours of community service under the supervision of the Prince Rupert Restorative Justice Program.  A research project, designed to educate the public about the detrimental effects of harvesting Northern abalone, was to be organized by the offenders at their expense. 

Abalone fisheries have been closed since December 1990, due to serious conservation concerns.  In 1999, Northern abalone were declared as a threatened species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).  DFO would like to remind the public and coastal communities that Northern abalone are protected as a threatened species.  The goal of SARA is to prevent endangered and threatened wildlife from becoming extinct or lost from the wild, and to help in the recovery of these species.  As a listed species, killing, harming, harassing, capturing or taking abalone is prohibited under SARA.  Despite these efforts, one of the largest threats to Northern abalone survival in the wild is continued unauthorized harvest.  Surveys of Northern abalone, including areas accessible only to remote communities, show no sign of recovery.

DFO is extremely concerned with harvesting activity and ask for assistance and information on Northern abalone harvesting or any contravention of the Fisheries Act or SARA.  Anyone with information can call the 24-hour, toll-free Observe, Record, and Report line at 1-800-465-4336.

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For more information:

Jeanette Lam

Communications Advisor

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

(604) 666-2872