Two men from the Lower Mainland are facing numerous federal fisheries charges after authorities halted a suspected illegal commercial crab fishing operation near Gibsons on Sept. 25.
Last Friday, Sunshine Coast RCMP teamed up with officers from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in the waters off of Bonniebrook near Gibsons.
According to RCMP Cpl. Murray McNeil, DFO officers were investigating a commercial fishing vessel that had been sighted early in the morning setting traps off Bonniebrook.
"Two RCMP officers with a Fisheries officer, made an immediate patrol of the vicinity," said McNeil. "The vessel was not located, however several traps were located in the area."
McNeil said he three officers tracked the vessel and raced across the Straits of Georgia where they intercepted the 40 foot fishing vessel near the mouth of the Fraser River near Richmond.
He said two males from the Lower Mainland were arrested on board the vessel. A total of 290 live crabs were seized on board. The vessel was then escorted to port in Richmond where it is currently being held.
The two male suspects arrested are facing charges of fishing in a closed area, using unmarked gear, operating a vessel without registration numbers and possessing undersized crab.
Following the arrest, DFO officers returned to the Bonniebrook area and seized approximately 50 commercial crab traps that had been set by the suspected illegal fishermen. McNeil said the catch inside the traps as well as the 290 seized crabs, were all returned, alive to the Bonniebrook area.
DFO is continuing its investigation.
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