Canada has hit a man with a CAD 7,500 (USD 5,360, EUR 4,800) fine for illegally possessing Northern Abalone, an endangered species under Canada’s Species at Risk Act.
Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) said Caylin James Holland was convicted for illegally possessing the abalone in British Columbia, Canada. DFO said Metlakatla Fishery Guardians – which collaborate with the department – alerted conservation and protection fishery officers of suspected abalone poaching in an area 5 kilometers north of Prince Rupert, B.C.
DFO said thanks to the information from the Metlakatla Guardians, fishery officers were able to locate Holland, who was in possession of 10 Northern abalone. All 10 were seized and later returned alive to suitable habitat.
The Northern abalone fishery has been closed since 1990 after overharvesting resulted in a steep decline of the species, according to DFO. Illegal harvesting and possession of the species continue to remain a threat to its recovery.
