Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced today that Mackenzie Matheson of North Vancouver was fined a record $6,325 after pleading guilty to fishing with a long gillnet.
On September 5, 2007, fishery officers aboard the Canadian Coast Guard Cutter Atlin Post observed the commercial salmon gillnet vessel Deductible fishing with a long net in Alberni Inlet contrary to Mr. Matheson’s licence
conditions. The net was subsequently seized and the vessel had to cease fishing.
Recently, in Port Alberni provincial court, Mr. Matheson appeared and pled guilty to fishing contrary to his licence. He was ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $6,325, which he was given until March 20, 2008, to pay. During the investigation, the net was found to be 263.5 metres long, or 44% over the allowed length. The maximum net length for nets in this commercial fishery is 183 metres.
DFO acts to end illegal fishing activity. As part of this work, the Department is asking 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 violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336.
