Dan Andrews Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 FYI – recent court convictions from Lake Erie area. Frogs and turtles obtained on Walpole Island on Lake St. Clair. News Release Communiqué Ministry of Natural Resources Ministère des Richesses naturelles For Immediate Release August 4, 2009 Frog and Turtle Poacher Nets 106 Days in Jail and Lifetime Ban Sarnia – A Toronto area man has been convicted of five charges for illegally possessing and transporting species at risk and game wildlife as well as illegally buying game wildlife and breaching a court order. Pak Sun Chung, 56, received 106 days in jail and a lifetime ban from hunting or fishing for three offences under the provincial Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997. Court was told that on August 23, 2007 Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers and Environment Canada game officers contacted Chung at a service centre. In his possession were 27 Blanding’s Turtles and one Spotted Turtle, both of which are specially protected species, two Snapping Turtles and 30 Bullfrogs, all alive, as well as a quartered white-tailed deer. It is illegal to capture or possess live specially protected wildlife such as Spotted and Blanding’s turtles without appropriate authorization. At sentencing court heard that this was the second time in less than a month and a half that Chung had been arrested for illegal possession of specially protected turtles. On the first occasion, Chung had been arrested and remanded in custody for 14 days. He was subsequently bound by a court order prohibiting him from engaging in these activities. Court also heard that Chung had 13 previous convictions for similar Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 offences including previous jail time and thousands of dollars in outstanding fines. In addition to the provincial charges, Chung also received an additional nine months for two offences under the federal Species at Risk Act. Justice Mark Hornblower heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Sarnia on August 4, 2009. To report a natural resource violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (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). David Critchlow, Enforcement Branch 705 755-1437 ontario.ca/mnr 705 875-0924 NEWS Ministry of Natural Resources WEEKEND ENFORCEMENT BLITZ NETS MANY ANGLERS NEWS July 31, 2009 Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers from Lake Erie Management Unit and Aylmer District conducted a three-day land and marine fisheries patrol on the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, and the St. Clair River during July 24 to 26, 2009. Officers checked 220 resident and 80 non-resident anglers for compliance with both provincial and federal fish and game regulations. Officers laid 37 charges and issued 19 warnings for fisheries-related and non-fisheries violations. The violations included: · Fishing without a licence · Angling with more than permitted number of lines · Fishing without having licence on your person · Making a false statement to a conservation officer · Possessing live invasive fish · Using live fish that is not baitfish · Enabling someone to unlawfully use licence · Fishing while trespassing · Having liquor in open container in other than licensed premises, residence, or private place. To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (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). Colin Stass, Lake Erie District, 519-825-4687 Dirk Stuyck, Aylmer District, 519-354-5815 ontario.ca/mnr NEWS Ministry of Natural Resources Niagara-Area Blitz Results In 41 Charges NEWS July 27, 2009 Conservation officers conducting a two-day blitz in the Niagara Peninsula and Norfolk County found a number of anglers fishing without a licence. Officers checked 360 anglers for compliance with provincial and federal fish and game regulations during the blitz on July 18 and 19. Ninety-one fisheries-related violations were found and 41 charges were laid. Twenty-nine of these violations were related to anglers who were fishing without a licence or fishing without a licence on their person. Other common violations included: · Using too many lines · Possessing live invasive species, such as gobies · Trespass for the purpose of fishing. In addition, 20 violations were found for non-fisheries-related legislation, for which officers laid charges and issued warnings. These violations were related to off-road vehicle violations, the possession and consumption of liquor in a public place, and having care or control of a motor vehicle with an open container of liquor. Anglers are reminded to always carry their licence when fishing and to review the regulations about the number of fish they are allowed to catch and keep related to their licence. For further information on fishing regulations, please consult the 2008-2009 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, available at ServiceOntario/Government Information Centres, licence issuers and at ontario.ca/fishing. To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (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). Randy Tippin, Lake Ontario Enforcement Unit, 905-562-1194 Matt Orok, Lake Ontario Enforcement Unit, 705-755-1842 ontario.ca/mnr NEWS Ministry of Natural Resources DETROIT RIVER FISHERIES PATROLS RESULTS IN 122 CHARGES NEWS June 29, 2009 The Ministry of Natural Resources conducted numerous patrols on the Detroit River this spring checking for compliance with fisheries and safety related regulations. The enforcement patrols from the Wheatley and Chatham offices targeted areas on the Detroit River in the jurisdictions of the City of Windsor and the towns of Amherstburg and Lasalle. In total, 1170 resident anglers and 385 non-resident anglers were checked from early April until the last week of June. Overall compliance with Ontario’s sport fishing and public safety related legislation was found to be 84 per cent. A total of 122 charges and 125 warnings were issued for the following offences: * Fishing without a licence * Catching and possessing smallmouth bass out of season * Possessing too many walleye * Transporting illegally caught fish * Fishing with too many lines * Possessing live gobies * Fishing with more than four hooks * Providing a false statement to a conservation officer * Trespassing for the purpose of fishing * Consuming liquor in a boat. The ministry reminds anglers that the province’s recreational fishing regulations are in place to protect the sustainability of fish populations. For further information on fishing regulations, please consult the 2008-2009 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, available at ServiceOntario/Government Information Centres, licence issuers and at ontario.ca/fishing, To report a natural resource violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Kevin Sprague, Lake Erie Enforcement Unit, 519-825-3168 ontario.ca/mnr NEWS Ministry of Natural Resources $13,000 FINE FOR LAKE ERIE COMMERCIAL FISHING VIOLATION June 10, 2009 A Wheatley commercial fishing licence owner has been fined $11,000 and a Lake Erie commercial fishing boat captain has been fined $2,000 for catching 6,348 lbs of yellow perch over their assigned quota. Jack Liddle, of Wheatley, owner of the commercial fishing licence and Renato Adragna, of Kingsville, captain of the commercial fishing vessel “Liddle Lady”, each pleaded guilty to one count of failing to stop fishing for yellow perch after the assigned quota was reached. An investigation conducted by Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers determined that on May 6, 2008, the commercial fishing vessel “Liddle Lady”, captained by Renato Adragna was commercial fishing for yellow perch in the Chatham-Kent waters of Lake Erie and reached their allocated quota. The captain continued to fish for an additional four days and landed a total of 6,348 lbs of over quota yellow perch. Justice of the Peace Jack Carroll heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, in Windsor, on June 3, 2009. Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers monitor the commercial and sport fishing industry to protect Lake Erie’s fishery resources which are managed through an international partnership with the bordering U.S. Great Lakes states. To report a natural resource violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (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). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigugli Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 The ministry is around and doing as much as the limitations of manpower allow. If you want more Co presence, harass Donna Canfield, the minister, for Natural Resources. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snidley Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 Excellent. Obviously someone like turtles. It's great that they are busting some violators but we all know it's a drop in the bucket. I'm for a requirement that all angler must display their licence at all times when fishing(like in some states) to allow for some peer pressure to force compliance as well as allow for CO's to work undercover. Snidley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave524 Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 NEWSMinistry of Natural Resources $13,000 FINE FOR LAKE ERIE COMMERCIAL FISHING VIOLATION June 10, 2009 A Wheatley commercial fishing licence owner has been fined $11,000 and a Lake Erie commercial fishing boat captain has been fined $2,000 for catching 6,348 lbs of yellow perch over their assigned quota. Jack Liddle, of Wheatley, owner of the commercial fishing licence and Renato Adragna, of Kingsville, captain of the commercial fishing vessel “Liddle Lady”, each pleaded guilty to one count of failing to stop fishing for yellow perch after the assigned quota was reached. I saw this on another forum, commenting that $13000 for 6 1/2 thousand pounds over their quota works out to about $2 a pound. Given the high price of perch fillets, this is but a slap on the wrist, cost of doing business, reduced the profit margin and they will probably do it again. The judge here is the problem, not the MNR, they did their job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottydog Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 Thanks for the update Dan......some interesting reading there.....nice to see the MNR out doing there thing..... Bunch of idiots Good fishing. Scottydog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hacknslash Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 NEWS Ministry of Natural Resources $13,000 FINE FOR LAKE ERIE COMMERCIAL FISHING VIOLATION June 10, 2009 A Wheatley commercial fishing licence owner has been fined $11,000 and a Lake Erie commercial fishing boat captain has been fined $2,000 for catching 6,348 lbs of yellow perch over their assigned quota. Jack Liddle, of Wheatley, owner of the commercial fishing licence and Renato Adragna, of Kingsville, captain of the commercial fishing vessel “Liddle Lady”, each pleaded guilty to one count of failing to stop fishing for yellow perch after the assigned quota was reached. An investigation conducted by Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers determined that on May 6, 2008, the commercial fishing vessel “Liddle Lady”, captained by Renato Adragna was commercial fishing for yellow perch in the Chatham-Kent waters of Lake Erie and reached their allocated quota. The captain continued to fish for an additional four days and landed a total of 6,348 lbs of over quota yellow perch. Glad to see the Ministry is out doing its job...but the courts need to get alot heavier handed with commercial fishermen. Think about it. If I had 6 348 perch over my limit..what would my fine be? Would I EVER get a licence again? I know these guys are trying to make a living but the law is the law. Here is an example of a conviction of a sportfisherman from 2008. An Ignace couple have been fined $2,500 for possessing 25 walleye over the legal limit. The couple who plead not guilty, were convicted following a trial. The fish were donated to charity. Ministry of Natural Resources Dryden District conservation officers searched the residence in Ignace on October 6, 2005. They found five bags of frozen walleye fillets. After thawing the fish, the officers counted 33 walleye. The legal limit for the two anglers was four walleye each. The case was heard in Ontario Court of Justice, Ignace, September 11, 2008. Thats $100 a fish.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Andrews Posted August 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 Excellent. Obviously someone like turtles. It's great that they are busting some violators but we all know it's a drop in the bucket. I'm for a requirement that all angler must display their licence at all times when fishing(like in some states) to allow for some peer pressure to force compliance as well as allow for CO's to work undercover. Snidley I'd be open to that. As for the turtle guy, he's done time before, its obviously very lucrative. Shame to hear spotted and other endangered are still targets. some humans just don't care about anything but money. Glad the MNR is boosting manpower. I was told in May Niagara was getting 3 new CO's. They didn't say if that was added numbers or replacements though. just new ones. The reason I posted this is because 1 it was just sent to me in the email and 2 someone was recently complaing they don't do nothing until he got busted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ogliq2 Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 Just a thought... Are you still only allowed to posess 4 walleyes, in total (in your freezer), say if you bought them from minor's fisheries ? Would you have to show a receipt if you were searched ? I mean, say you invited your neighbors over for a walleye dinner, and they saw 30lbs of walleye fillets in your freezer and dropped a dime on you to the MNR......?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pike007 Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 I know they patrol the popular area, some areas of Georgian bay (honey harbour) , Kawarthas , but how about all those little lakes up there, imagine all the stuff people get away with up there. 007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightfisher Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 Thanks for posting this Dan. Good to know the COs are out there doing their job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hacknslash Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 I know they patrol the popular area, some areas of Georgian bay (honey harbour) , Kawarthas , but how about all those little lakes up there, imagine all the stuff people get away with up there.007 I grew up near Timmins Ontario. There are limited numbers of CO's up there, and think of the vast area they have to cover? I have been places where you can drive for 50 miles and not see one person. Funnyy thing was the one person you would happen to run into in the middle of nowhere was a CO. Personally with being so understaffed for the area they have to cover I think they are doing a great job, and we need more of them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-hamilton Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 chung should be sent back where he came from! 13 previous convictions? wow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kf095 Posted August 6, 2009 Report Share Posted August 6, 2009 chung should be sent back where he came from! 13 previous convictions? wow. I wonder if it is same person I was reading about at MNR site back in 2005. Same thing, car loaded with turtles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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