HAY RIVER, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES--(Marketwired - Feb. 18, 2015) - On February 9, 2015, two commercial fishers were fined a total of $4,000 and one had her commercial fishing licence suspended after pleading guilty to a total of five charges in Territorial court.
William Michell and Nancy Michel pleaded guilty to commercial fishing during the closed season as outlined in the Northwest Territories Fishing Regulations, and obstructing a Fishery Officer who was carrying out duties under the Fishery Act. Michel also pleaded guilty to violating the Fishing General Regulations by failing to comply with a condition of the fishing licence. Michell was fined a total of $1,000 for his two charges, while Michel was fined a total of $3,000 for her three charges and also had her commercial fishing licence suspended until March 31, 2015.
These charges resulted from a routine aerial surveillance flight of Great Slave Lake on July 18, 2014. While patrolling the water, Fishery Officers observed the vessel Shadow fishing in a closed area near Hay River, Northwest Territories, which led to an investigation.
Defined areas within Great Slave Lake are closed to commercial fishing to protect Inconnu stocks.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is committed to the conservation and protection of northern fish stocks through public awareness, regulations, partnerships and, where necessary, enforcement action. Illegal fishing is a threat to the sustainability of important fishing resources and can be reported in the Northwest Territories by contacting the Fisheries and Oceans Canada office in Yellowknife at 867-669-4900.
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