A routine inspection of commercial seafood processing plants by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) fishery officers a year ago has resulted in a fine of $40,000.
Tenshi Seafood Limited was handed down the fine in Richmond Provincial Court after pleading guilty to the possession of undersize crabs by a commercial business, which is a violation of Canada’s Fisheries Act.
This is the second significant fine for Tenshi Seafood, which was fined $75,000 in January 2020 for obstruction and ordered to comply with various conditions.
‘The harvest of undersized crab is the largest threat to conservation of Dungeness crab stocks, which is a traditional food source for Indigenous communities and core to the livelihood of commercial crab harvesters,’ a DFO representative commented.
‘Dungeness crab is also a significant economic benefit to coastal communities; specifically, the recreational fishery industry and tourism.’
