ABBOTSFORD - Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced today that an Abbotsford business owner and resident has been fined for obtaining and offering for sale sockeye salmon that was not caught under a licence that authorizes sales.

In September 2000, fishery officers conducted an inspection of Town Square Seafood in Abbotsford, B.C. and discovered a large quantity of sockeye salmon in garbage bags on the premises, indicating that the fish had not been purchased from a commercial source. More than 75 whole sockeye salmon and 47 pounds of sockeye salmon pieces were subsequently seized from the seafood retailer and Bang Yup Park, owner and manager of Town Square Seafood, was charged. Mr. Park also admitted to falsifying documents in an attempt to hide the illegal product.

In the summer of 2000, conservation measures were in place in the Fraser River to protect salmon stocks of concern.

In June 2002, Mr. Park pled guilty in Abbotsford provincial court and was fined $3,000, after personal financial circumstances were taken into consideration. The seized salmon was also forfeited.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada would like to remind the public that only fish caught under a licence that authorizes the sale of that fish should be purchased. In addition to this, fish and shellfish that is being sold to the public must go through the necessary health and safety inspections that are required when selling to the public. Fish that is not properly processed or stored may cause serious illness. For further information, contact your local DFO office.

This summer, fishery officers will again be conducting patrols of the Fraser River area, as well as at local seafood retail outlets and restaurants, to ensure that only lawfully-caught and inspected fish products are being sold to the public.

The Department is extremely concerned with unauthorized activity and asks for assistance from 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.

Media contacts:

Neil Jensen
Fishery Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
(604) 607-4163