SMITHERS - Gordon Duane Judzentis of Smithers has been ordered to pay $6,700 after pleading guilty to two counts of unlawfully guiding for fish under the Wildlife Act.

Judzentis was fined $2,500 on each count in Smithers provincial court on April 24. He admitted to guiding for fish on the Bulkley River near Smithers in September 1998 and the Kwinamass River near Prince Rupert in April 1999 without proper authorizations. An added $1,700 penalty was imposed to recover money spent by conservation officers for the investigation.

Related charges for violations of angling regulations were stayed as part of a plea agreement.

Acting on tips from the Terrace area, conservation officers and the ministry's special investigations unit began the eight-month investigation in September 1998.

People can help conservation officers combat illegal guiding and wildlife poaching by calling the ministry's toll-free tip line at 1-800-663-WILD (9453) with information of illegal activities. All calls received will remain confidential.

Media contact:

Bill Bresser, 250 952-4118
Manager, Special Investigations
Enforcement Branch,
Victoria