O.C.O.A. News

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O.C.O.A

December 7, 2007

 

HEFTY FINES FOR BUYING FISH ILLEGALLY

 

BLIND RIVER - A Toronto man has been fined $1,500 for illegally buying a sturgeon and then lying to a conservation officer in an attempt to conceal the offence.

 

Alexandre Goloubev, 27, pleaded guilty to the charges and was fined $1,000 for unlawfully buying fish and $500 for making a false statement to a conservation officer.

 

Court heard that on October 5, 2007, Goloubev was checked by a conservation officer while angling just west of Blind River. Goloubev told the officer he only had salmon in his possession. After being questioned about a large pool of blood on shore, he admitted he had bought a sturgeon from an angler who caught it earlier in the day. The sturgeon was cut in pieces, placed in a cooler and hidden under vegetation in the forest near their campsite.

 

Justice of the Peace Philip Stanghetta heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Blind River, on December 4, 2007.

 

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).

 

 

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December 7, 2007

 

BASS OVERLIMIT CATCHES ANGLER $750 FINE

 

 

BARRIE — A Maple-area resident has been fined $750 for having too many smallmouth bass.

 

 

Frank Attard, 65, pleaded guilty to catching and retaining 19 bass over the limit of six per day. In addition to the fine, he forfeits his fishing rod and tackle box to the Crown.

 

Court was told that Attard was angling on Lake Simcoe at the Barrie waterfront on September 30, 2007, when a Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officer inspected his catch and found 25 smallmouth bass Attard caught that day.

 

Conservation officers had been patrolling the area after getting complaints of over fishing of bass and perch in the fall and early winter.

 

Justice of the Peace Robert Norton heard the case at the Ontario Court of Justice, Barrie, on November 27, 2007.

 

Anglers must be able to identify the species of fish they catch and the legal number of fish they can catch and possess. These limits vary depending on whether you have a sportfishing licence or a conservation fishing licence.

 

To report a natural resource violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll free any time or contact the Midhurst District office at (705) 725-7550 during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).