Five individuals have been collectively fined $19,000 for illegally harvesting shellfish from a contaminated zone off the coast of Vancouver Island.
According to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, enforcement officers discovered the group engaging in shellfish harvesting in a restricted area in Campbell River, British Columbia, which had been closed under the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program.
Shellfish collected from prohibited locations may contain harmful contaminants, bacteria, viruses, or biotoxins that are not immediately visible and pose significant health risks, possibly leading to illness or even death.
The department emphasized that such unauthorized harvesting not only endangers public health but also jeopardizes sustainable fisheries and creates unfair advantages for those who abide by regulations.
In addition to the fines, three individuals were found guilty of violating licensing regulations, and one was charged with providing false information to a fishery officer.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada reported that during the incident, officers confiscated over 130 Pacific oysters, along with mussels and Manila clams. All live shellfish were safely returned to their original harvest site.
