Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans announced the government fined a group CAD 19,000 (USD 13,400, EUR 11,800) for harvesting shellfish from a contaminated area, among other Fisheries Act violations.
DFO said five recreational harvesters were fined the combined CAD 19,000 total for multiple illegal fishing activities. The largest fine of CAD 5,000 (USD 3,500, EUR 3,100) was given to Jucy Canupin for harvesting shellfish from a prohibited area, violating license conditions, and providing a false statement to a fishery officer.
Of the remaining four individuals, Ma Arleen Paz and Sylvina Matias were each fined CAD 4,000 (USD 2,800, EUR 2,500) for harvesting from a prohibited area and license violations, and Alma Catubay and Ingracia Dalde were each fined CAD 3,000 (USD 2,100, EUR 1,900) for harvesting shellfish from a prohibited area.
“These convictions followed a routine low-tide patrol on June 25, 2025, where DFO fishery officers inspected a group of individuals harvesting shellfish along the Campbell River waterfront, an area closed under the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program for public health protection,” DFO said. “Misleading or obstructing fishery officers is a serious offence that hinders conservation and enforcement efforts and can result in substantial penalties.”
According to DFO, officers seized 136 Pacific oysters, eight mussels, and two manila clams, and all live shellfish was returned to the harvest site.
The DFO said harvesters should check its SHELLI map before harvest to identify closed areas, and avoid them.
“Harvesting from these areas is both illegal and unsafe and puts the public at risk, threatens sustainable fisheries, and disadvantages harvesters who comply with the law,” DFO said.
