Three Vancouver-area men are facing various charges after they were arrested last week for alleged illegal fishing violations.
According to Sunshine Coast RCMP Cpl. Steve Chubey, Sea to Sky Traffic services stopped a vehicle for speeding near Egmont on Sept. 30.
"The occupants of the vehicle had stated they had been fishing and when questioned more closely by the officer, it was determined that an inspection of their catch was necessary," said Chubey. "Fisheries were asked to attend and the search yielded three large coolers which housed 38 fish, a mixture of rock fish, ling cod and halibut. Fisheries seized the fish, rods and tackle of the three male occupants of the vehicle."
Chubey said the three men were released on appearance notices to attend Sechelt provincial court facing charges of possessing undersize ling cod, possessing over the legal limit of ling cod, possessing over the legal limit of rock fish, providing false information and possessing halibut during a closed time.
Each charge carries up to a $100,000 fine for the first offence.
"The actions of these men will have a long-term environmental effect on the fish populations of this area for many years", said Fisheries officer Robert Kaatz. "Some of these fish were over 80 years old and others do not reach sexual maturity until they are 14 to 16 years old.
Kaatz said that this is the largest such seizure he has seen on the Sunshine Coast.
