Powell River – Sunshine Coast fishery officers have been busy enforcing fisheries regulations over the summer months.
According to Matthew Conley, field supervisor for the regional Fisheries and Oceans Canada office, the beach at Myrtle Rocks and the provincial park in Okeover Inlet have been very busy in recent weeks with shellfish harvesters during low tides, which has resulted in charges being laid for over-harvest of clams and oysters.
In a media release, Conley stated that on August 20, three individuals were charged with excessive harvest of clams and oysters at the beach at Okeover provincial park, totalling $6,000 in fines. Irish Cartegena, of Burnaby, and Louisito Lacuata and Virginia Lacuata, of Surrey, were each issued tickets for $2,000, Conley stated.
On July 23, BC Parks relayed reliable information that there was excessive harvest of clams and oysters at the beach at Okeover provincial park, stated Conley.
“Fishery officers were able to interdict the vehicle on the lower Sunshine Coast,” he stated. “Yue Chen and Guang Yang, of Surrey, were found to be in possession of an excessive quantity of oysters and clams. Tickets were issued to the two individuals totaling $4,000.”
On July 7, three individuals were charged with excessive harvest of oysters at the beach at Myrtle Rocks regional park, totalling $3,000, according to Conley. Hong Lu of Vancouver, Lingyun Pan of Vancouver, and Wing Chu of Surrey, were each issued tickets for $1,000, stated Conley.
On August 10, fishery officers received a call from a member of the public related to overharvesting of rockfish at Diver’s Rock regional park, according to Conley.
“Fishery officers attended and dealt with a group of five individuals from the lower mainland that were actively hiding rockfish under the rocks,” stated Conley. “Three individuals are facing charges for obstruction, possessing over daily limit rockfish, and retaining undersize lingcod.”
Conley stated that in recent weeks, there have also been numerous cases of individuals retaining prohibited species such as wild coho salmon and yelloweye rockfish, and there has been fishing in closed areas. He reminded the public, if they witness a fisheries violation, to call the observe, record, report hotline at 1.800.465.4336.
