June 16, 2009

ROAD CHECK UNCOVERS VIOLATIONS BY ANGLERS

The Ministry of Natural Resources laid 17 charges and issued five warnings during an enforcement road check on Couchiching First Nation, on Highway 11 in the Fort Frances District on May 25, U.S. Memorial Day.

Conservation officers stopped 680 vehicles and checked 345 non-residents and one resident for compliance with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and the Ontario Fisheries Regulations. A Treaty 3 police service officer also attended the road check.

Charges and warnings were issued for:

• Possessing an over limit of fish
• Making a false statement to a conservation officer
• Transporting fish taken unlawfully as they were in a restricted size range
• Unlawfully packaged fish which could not readily be counted, identified or measured
• A range of licence infractions, including fishing without a licence and failing to produce a licence.
  

As a result of a false statement made to a conservation officer at the road check, an investigation is underway, which may result in additional charges.

The ministry reminds the public that conservation officers conduct routine roadside checks to ensure that anglers are obeying a variety of resource laws.

For further information on fishing regulations, please consult the 2008-2009 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, available at ServiceOntario/Government Information Centres and from licence issuers or 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).

www.ocoa.ca