July 23, 2009
$2,100 In Fines and Licence Suspension for 104 Illegal Lake Simcoe Sunfish
Two women and a man from Toronto have been fined $2,100 for having 104 sunfish over the legal catch limit. In addition to the fines, their fishing licences were suspended for two years.
Hen Lai Tra, Thi Y. Tran and Ky Thi Ngo, all of North York, pleaded guilty under the Ontario Fisheries Regulations to catching and keeping more than the legal quota of fish.
Court heard that on April 18, 2009, during a routine angler check on the shores of Lake Simcoe, an Aurora District conservation officer checked the group who showed him 75 sunfish, the legal limit for their conservation licences. The officer subsequently inspected their vehicle and found a bucket containing 104 freshly caught fish. An off-duty York Region police officer assisted the conservation officer in laying charges.
Justice of the Peace Ronald Prestage heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Newmarket, on July 10, 2009.
For further information on fishing regulations, please consult the 2008-2009 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, available 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).