VANCOUVER - Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced today that an individual who was attempting to sell fish not caught under the authority of a licence has been convicted.

On March 24, 1999, Tony Alex attempted to sell over 35,000 pounds of sockeye (approximately 100,000 cans) in North Vancouver, B.C. An investigation by fishery officers revealed that the fish had been caught in the Fraser River during August 1998, under an aboriginal communal fishing licence that did not authorize the sale of salmon. The investigation involved a search warrant that was executed in North Vancouver, which led to the seizure of 100,000 cans of salmon and the laying of charges against Mr. Alex.

The retail value of the seized salmon would have exceeded $400,000.

Today in North Vancouver provincial court, Mr. Alex was fined $15,000. The seized salmon was forfeited to the Crown.

DFO 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. For further information, contact your local DFO office.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada 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:

Ian Mann
Fishery Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
(604) 664-9252