HARVESTING CLAMS IN DELTA LEADS TO $1500 FINE
VANCOUVER - Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced today that a Tsawwassen resident has been fined for harvesting shellfish from a contaminated area.
On May 17, 2003, while on patrol, fishery officers observed an individual digging horse clams from a beach in Delta, B.C., an area closed to the harvest of shellfish due to contamination. One of the fishery officers approached Stephen Russel Watts and asked to inspect his catch. He had 19 large horse clams and two cockles in his possession. His harvesting shovel and bucket were subsequently seized along with the shellfish, which were later returned to the water.
The tidal waters in Lower Mainland are closed all year to the harvest of bivalve shellfish (including clams, oysters, scallops, mussels, etc.) due to contamination. Harvesting bivalve shellfish from a closed area is not only a violation of the Fisheries Act but is also a serious health risk. Crab and shrimp are not affected by this contamination.
Recently, in Surrey provincial court, Mr. Watts was convicted on two counts of violating the Fisheries Act and fined a total of $1,500.
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 and Regulations. Anyone with information can call the toll-free Observe, Record, Report violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336.
Contact:
Michelle Imbeau
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
(604) 666-2872
