quote:There has been evidence of illegal fishing and out right poaching on the Puntledge River since the salmon have begun returning.
In the past week Fishery Officer's have stepped up their patrols, working evenings, nights, mornings, and weekends to try to thwart the illegal activity. In a weeks period 11 arrests. 5 Federal tickets and 3 Provincial tickets and one appearance notice to court ( closed time, attempt to foul hook, retention of foul hooked fish, no licence, retention of prohibitited species, obstructing a Fishery Officer, failure to allow inspection of gear etc.)
Seizure of several rods, several fish and multiple gear and the seizure of one truck, impounded by the RCMP.
Local Fishery Officers have been assisted by the RCMP to try to curb the problem. Fishery Officer's from outside the area are being brought in to assist local staff as despite our efforts, poaching continues to occur on the Puntledge River.
There is evidence the illegal fishing is taking place when there is less opportunities for the illegal fishermen to interact with the public. Early in the morning, evenings and at night.
Much of our investigations and charges stem from public information. There are only a few Fishery Officers to cover large areas of the coast and inland waters. We're asking for the assistance form the public to monitor their rivers and their fish. Any illegal fishing information can be passed confidentially to our 24 hour phone line at 1-800-465-4336. We don't want the public interacting with these poachers, but rather provide us timely information on the individuals such as (names, age, race, ***, height, weight, clothing) the nature of the activity observed ( snagging, fishing closed areas or with prohibited gear, retention of prohibited species) times, dates and locations and vehicles plates and descriptions.
Often if there is only a few minute time delay when the calls come to our radio room, the local Fishery Officers can be on the river within minutes to catch the violators in the act.
Currently the Puntledge River is closed to the retention of Salmon. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is monitoring the returns to determine if we will have an opening for Chinook or Coho in October. For fishing opportunity information, please contact the local Fisheries and Oceans office in Comox at 339-2031 or on the internet at
www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
