Duncan - Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced today that two Ladysmith residents have received significant sentences for possessing illegally harvested clams, a contravention of the Fisheries Act.

On February 18, 2002, a member of the public contacted Nanaimo fishery officers after a large number ofsacks containing clams were observed. The sacks were hidden within an area closed to the harvest of clams due to contamination, near Crofton, BC. Officers were present as two persons arrived, by vessel, to the site. Both were observed to begin loading the sacks of clams onto their vessel. Fishery officers arrested the two men and charges were subsequently laid. In all, approximately 1700 pounds of clams (approximately 60,000 individual clams) in 25 sacks were seized from the two men.

On November 25, 2002, Paul James Simon and Lorrie (Larry) James Dick were each convicted for one count each of possession of illegally harvested clams. Mr. Simon, who had three previous convictions for fisheries-related offences in 1987 and 1988, received a seven month conditional jail sentence. Mr. Dick, with one previous conviction for a fisheries-related offence in 1991, received a two month conditional jail sentence.

Portions of the B.C. coast are closed to harvesting due to sewage contamination or Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP or "red tide"). Harvesting bivalve shellfish from closed areas is not only a violation of the Fisheries Act but is also a serious health risk. Shellfish contaminated with shellfish toxin can cause serious illness, and cooking does not destroy the PSP toxin. Crab and shrimp are not affected by these kinds of toxins.

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.

Contacts:

Tom Pawloski
Fishery Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
(250) 754-0235