Too many lines in the North Thompson River near McLure and the wrong kind of bait cost an Edmonton man a total of $3,000 in fines in Kamloops court on Sept. 10.
“It was a good outcome as a result of information from the public,” said conservation officer Warren Chayer.
Ahmad Rasaei, age 65, pleaded guilty to angling with more than one line in the water and using prohibited gear and bait.
He received $1,500 in fines on both counts. Two other counts were stayed.
Rasaei also cannot fish for two years or purchase a fishing license.
The Edmonton man owns property along the river south of McLure. Conservation officers from Clearwater and Kamloops checked on the location several times over the summer after receiving reports from neighbors. They found as many as seven unattended lines at one time, as well as barbed hooks with illegal bait.
With hunting season getting underway, Chayer invited the public to report any suspicious activity to the Ministry of Environment’s RAPP (report all poachers and polluters) telephone tip line at 1-877-952-7277 or online at www.env.gov.bc.ca/cos/rapp/rapp.html.
