Four B.C. men are under investigation after being caught with a load of illegally caught fish in Mill Bay
On Sept. 7, at approximately 10 p.m., the RCMP stopped a pickup truck pulling a large fishing boat on a trailer with no lights.
It was then determined that the trailer didn’t have any brakes, which are required for a load of the weight it was carrying.
The boat trailer was then seized for the safety violations.
While RCMP investigated the vehicle infractions, an odour of fish was detected emanating from the back of the truck, where two large coolers were located.
Four men were found to be in possession of rock fish well over their possession limit and ling cod which were undersized and illegal.
Due to the Fisheries Act violations, the RCMP partnered up with conservation and protection officers from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans who assisted with the investigation.
After a complete search, four more coolers of fish were located in the boat.
During the investigation, RCMP and DFO officers located evidence of illegal possession of fish contrary to the Fisheries Act, as well as several Motor Vehicle Act infractions.
As a result of the investigation, more than 100 rock fish of a variety of species, and 23 ling cod, eight sculpin and three flounder were located and seized; well over catch limits.
Officers from the Georgia Basin South DFO office are continuing their investigation with assistance from the RCMP’s South Vancouver Island Traffic Services.
“It is these types of flagrant violations that undermine our coastal fisheries that are enjoyed by so many law abiding and conscientious members of the sport fishing community on our Island,” an RCMP news release said.
The four B.C. residents are currently under investigation and a report to Crown counsel is being completed, and will be forwarded for approval of charges.
Anyone with information on this or any other illegal fishing activities can contact the DFO Observe Record and Report line at 1-800-465-4336, Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or any RCMP detachment.
