VANCOUVER - A Lillooet resident has been fined a total of $5,000 under the Fisheries Act after pleading guilty to damaging fish habitat on Seton Lake, Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced today.

The B.C. Provincial Court in Kamloops ordered Earl John Speer to pay $500 to the court and $4,500 to Fisheries and Oceans Canada to restore fish habitat on Seton Lake.

On September 10, 2000, fishery officers received a tip that an individual was clearing trees and vegetation from the foreshore of Seton Lake. Seton Lake supports sockeye, coho, chinook and pink salmon, rainbow trout, bull trout and kokanee. Seton Lake flows into Seton River, which flows into the Fraser River.

An investigation determined that Mr. Speer was the owner of the property and was clearing the foreshore of the lake to build a cabin on the land. Trees, shrubs and other vegetation on the foreshore area of lakes provide critical habitat for juvenile salmon and trout species by providing cover, shade and a food supply.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada would like to remind the public that damaging and polluting fish habitat are violations of the Fisheries Act. Persons wishing to develop land near water ­ including rivers, streams, marshes, lakes and the ocean ­ should contact the local Fisheries and Oceans office prior to commencing any works.

The Department is concerned about the protection of fish and fish habitat and asks for assistance from the public in reporting fisheries-related violations. Please call the 24-hour, toll-free Observe, Record and Report line at 1-800-465-4336.

Contacts:

Greg Plummer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Lillooet, B.C.
(250) 256-2650