LICENSED FISHING GUIDE CONVICTED OF ILLEGAL FISHING ON SHUSWAP LAKE
SALMON ARM - Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced today that two Celista, B.C. residents recently pleaded guilty to fishing for salmon during a closed time and failing to record adult chinook salmon on their non-tidal angling licence.
On September 19, 2003, a member of the public notified the Department about possible illegal fishing activity involving a white vessel with a wooden hull, approximately 25 feet in length, with a blue canvas bimini over the stern. The occupants of this vessel had been observed catching and retaining chinook in Shuswap Lake, off the mouth of the Adams River.
Due to the accurate and timely information received, fishery officers were able to respond and conduct surveillance operations on the individuals. Fishery officers observed Lanny Videsjordin (a licensed fishing guide) and Derail Pierce catch and retain two chinook in the closed area.
Recently, in Salmon Arm provincial court, Mr. Videsjordin and Mr. Pierce pleaded guilty and received fines of $730 and had their angling gear, cooler and fish forfeited.
Shuswap Lake, off the mouth of the Adams River, is closed for angling for salmon all year. These waters are a sensitive habitat area for sockeye and chinook that are holding in the lake prior to spawning in the Adams River.
The Department is extremely concerned with this type of unauthorized activity and asks for the continued 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 24-hour, toll-free Observe, Record, and Report line at 1-800-465-4336.
Contact:
Michelle Imbeau
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
(604) 666-2872
