- Tofino, B.C. ­ Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced today that a Tofino resident has been convicted and fined $6,000 for illegal possession of abalone. 

On July 13, 2003, while investigating a report of a stolen vessel, Tofino RCMP apprehended three men as they returned to shore in a boat that had been previously reported stolen.  One of the three men was dressed in a SCUBA diving dry suit and dive gear was seen in the vessel. The RCMP also noticed several sacks in the boat.  Suspecting abalone poaching activity, the RCMP members contacted a local fishery officer, who attended the scene and found Northern abalone in one of the sacks on board the vessel.  Subsequently, Scot Neil McDougald was charged with illegal possession of abalone contrary to the Fisheries Act. 

On September 8, 2003, in Tofino provincial court, Mr. McDougald was convicted of illegal possession of abalone.  He was penalized $6,000, his diving gear was forfeited and he was given a two-year prohibition from participating in scuba diving activities.  This was Mr. McDougald's first offence. 

The abalone fishery in British Columbia has been closed to all harvesters since December 1990 due to conservation concerns for the stocks. Despite these management measures, over 85% of Northern abalone populations have continued to decline. Surveys of abalone stocks since the closure have shown no indication of rehabilitation. Northern abalone are currently listed as a threatened species under Canada's Species At Risk Act (SARA).

Members of Royal Canadian Mounted Police are designated as fishery officers pursuant to the Fisheries Act.  RCMP members and fishery officers will be patrolling the waters of coastal B.C. and would like to remind the public that poaching abalone is a serious offence that can result in fines up to $100,000 or a term of imprisonment of up to one year and/or both.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is extremely concerned with illegal activity and asks for assistance from the general public for information on activities of this nature or any contravention of the Fisheries Act. To report violations please call the 24-hour, toll-free Observe, Record and Report line at 1-800-465-4336.

Contact:

Mike Crottey
Fisheries and Oceans Canada,
Pacific Region
(250) 725-3468

Kevin Hewco
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Tofino, B.C
(250) 725-3242