Ontario Shore Fishing Forum

Status Update

By Fish'n Canada

Greater Toronto Area Salmon Migration Enforcement Blitz

October 21, 2013

The Ministry of Natural Resources laid 90 charges totaling $10,930 in fines during a two weekend enforcement blitz on Lake Ontario tributaries across the Greater Toronto Area.

During two weekends in September and October, Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers from Peterborough, Guelph and Aurora districts, Lake Ontario and the canine unit, along with OPP police officers from Toronto, as well as Durham, Halton and Peel regions, checked over 450 anglers on many of the tributaries. Officers conducted uniformed and plainclothes enforcement operations related to the fall salmon migration.

The blitz resulted in 90 charges for a total of $10,930 in fines. The most common offences involved snagging and netting fish, fishing in posted sanctuaries and fishing without a licence. Ten individuals were also issued summonses to appear in court.

The Ministry of Natural Resources would like to thank members of the public for making over 110 calls to the MNR TIPS line for suspected unlawful harvesting during this year’s salmon migration across the Greater Toronto Area.

The Ministry would like to remind anglers that it is illegal to intentionally hook or pierce a fish other than in the mouth, or use tackle such as large treble hooks weighted with sinkers for the purpose of foul-hooking fish.

For further information on fishing regulations, please consult the 2013 Fishing Regulations Summary 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).

Awesome

Fine total seems low considering what they were for just 21 anglers being charged in September 2013 from this press release then:

“Publish Date: Thursday, 26th of September 2013
by Ministry Of Natural Resources

The Ministry of Natural Resources laid 21 charges and levied over $4,700 in fines during a weekend enforcement blitz in Northumberland County.

Conservation officers from Peterborough, Aurora and the Lake Ontario Management Unit, along with assistance from the Port Hope Police Service, checked over 200 anglers along the Ganaraska River and Cobourg Creek this past weekend during the fall salmon migration. They laid 21 charges with the most common offences involving snagging fish, fishing in posted sanctuaries, and fishing without a licence. Four individuals were also issued summonses to appear in court.

The Ministry of Natural Resources would like to remind anglers that it is illegal to hook or pierce a fish other than in the mouth, or use tackle such as large treble hooks weighted with sinkers for the purpose of foul-hooking fish. Any fish accidentally caught other than in the mouth must be immediately released”

Also 90 charges is great if true – since it's MUCH lower than all other years where a TO “blitz” was planned (..a 70-80% reduction).

Here’s a few links re: the “official” set fines for the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act:

http://www.ontariocourts.ca/ocj/how-do-i...t-fines-i/

http://www.ontariocourts.ca/ocj/how-do-i...dule-17-6/

I’ve never seen a set fines list for the Ontario Fishing Regulations.

If the total published are 90 charges totaling $10,930 – that’s really only an average of $121.44 each………. Which may not be much of a deterrent at all……(actually a VERY sad reality IMO).

We need stiffer MINIMUM SET fines, with a compounding 200% bump for repeat offenders, and immediate confiscation of (at least) all fishing related gear in the perp’s possession……… and perhaps have their wheels impounded if they drove there and multiple offences have been committed, with a mandatory required court appearance……… until a judge can sort it out properly………

In a reverse sorta way this adage holds true.......... " No Pain..........No gain".............. dig?


Cheers,

OldTimer