An Ontario man has been fined a total of $2,000 for illegal fishing activities.
Albert Fortier of Thunder Bay pleaded guilty and was fined $1,000 for fishing without a licence and $1,000 for unlawfully possessing a commercial fish net.
In addition, he is prohibited from obtaining or possessing a fishing licence of any kind and from engaging in any fishing-related activities for a period of ten years.
Court heard that on June 27, 2014, conservation officers on a routine marine patrol of Chipman Lake observed a boat with four men from a distance and saw Fortier set and retrieve several gill nets.
The officers made contact with the occupants of the boat and observed three lake sturgeon in the boat. During the investigation, it was determined that Fortier was fishing without the authority of a commercial fishing licence and that he was in possession of commercial fish nets without a licence.
The sturgeon were seized and forfeited to the Crown.
Justice of the Peace John Guthrie heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Thunder Bay, on February 3, 2016.
To report a natural resources violation, call the MNRF TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667 toll-free any time or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
