June 29, 2009

DETROIT RIVER FISHERIES PATROLS RESULTS IN 122 CHARGES

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).

www.ocoa.ca