DFO is planning to expand their options for enforcing regulations. They have undertaken to consult with interested parties. Please read all about DFO’s plan and consultation effort here. This issue will be of interest to both commercial and recreational fishers, if not all Canadians.
From a DFO communication sent to the ACS BC:
Both the Contraventions Act and the Fisheries Act allow for tickets to be issued by fishery officers and in some cases Provincial Enforcement Officers, but ticketing is only in place in some regions for identified fisheries regulations. DFO wants to implement a more consistent approach from region to region. As such, we are proposing to introduce ticketing for minor fisheries violations to the following regulations:
- Pacific Fishery Regulations (PFR);
- Fishery (General) Regulations (FGR);
- Atlantic Fishery Regulations (AFR); and
- Newfoundland and Labrador Fishery Regulations (NLFR).
To do so, we will be adding fine schedules to the Contraventions Regulations outlining the fines payable for various minor fisheries offences, for both the commercial and recreational sectors. The fine schedules will be similar to those that are already in place for the Maritime Provinces Fishery Regulations and the Ontario Fishery Regulations, with fines ranging from $100—500.
As part at this project, and for the sake of consistency, we will also update the tickets currently issued under the Fisheries Act for violations in the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations and move them under the Contraventions Regulations.
Questions that DFO wishes you to consider:
- Do the proposed fines and violations make sense to you? Do they seem fair and consistent?
- What effect will this ticketing plan have on you and your industry? What are the pros and cons?
- Do you think ticketing will be accepted in your region/industry? Why or why not?
Express your opinion by emailing DFO here, or sending postal mail here:
DFO Ticketing Consultation
13th Floor, 200 Kent Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0E6