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$50,000 Fine For Importing Live Asian Carp

June 22, 2012

A Toronto fish importing company and the company president have been fined a total of $50,000 for possessing live Asian Carp in Ontario. Xionyin Trading Inc., of Toronto pleaded guilty to possessing live invasive fish and was fined $40,000. Xiong Wang of Markham, also pleaded guilty to possessing live invasive fish and was fined $10,000. Additionally, 2,472 kilograms (5,450 pounds) of seized Bighead Carp valued at $3,270 was forfeited to the Crown. Charges against the second company representative are still before the court. The court heard that on January 20, 2011, the Canada Border Services Agency at the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward contacted the Ministry of Natural Resources to assist with the inspection of a truck hauling fish from the state of Arkansas into Ontario. Conservation officers inspected the truck and located a substantial amount of live Bighead Carp in the truck and subsequently seized all the fish.

It has been illegal to possess live invasive fish including, Bighead, Grass, Black and Silver Carp in Ontario since 2005 because of the significant threat they pose to the province’s lake systems. As part of the ongoing efforts to protect Ontario’s environment from the importation of invasive species, the Ministry of Natural Resources will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to monitor compliance with the legislation.

The Honourable Justice Deborah J. Austin heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, in Sarnia, on June 22, 2012.

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).

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The Law (Fisheries Act of Canada) Did you know?

Here are some rules from the Fisheries Act of Canada.

Throwing overboard of certain substances prohibited

36. (1) No one shall

  • (a) throw overboard ballast, coal ashes, stones or other prejudicial or deleterious substances in any river, harbour or roadstead, or in any water where fishing is carried on;
  • (b) leave or deposit or cause to be thrown, left or deposited, on the shore, beach or bank of any water or on the beach between high and low water mark, remains or offal of fish or of marine animals; or
  • (c) leave decayed or decaying fish in any net or other fishing apparatus. Marginal note:Disposal of remains, etc.

(2) Remains or offal described in subsection.

(1) may be buried ashore, above high water mark.

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Thoughts from the Shoreline

Fishing from the shoreline is one of my favorite pastimes. I can be with friends or I can be by myself. Both situations can be equally enjoyable.

Fishing gives you time for reflection and otherwise lets your mind wander. How far it goes is up to you. It can be amazing what crosses one’s mind during fishing excursions so I am going to share some of my cerebral ramblings with you:

  1. A lure is a lure is a lure. Is it not? That is the question. Is it a lure or allure that causes a fish to attack? Scent, colour, size and movement all garner a fish’s attention. My heavy footsteps and tripping over rocks while wading also gets their attention…
  2. If parched, do not drink from the river water. It contains ugly little things that may cause you copious amounts of anal leakage. However in order to remain hydrated, some people say that pure water flavoured with some grains of the field does the trick. All in moderation say the experts.
  3. With so many choices of colours and styles of lures, how does an angler choose an effective lure for that particular time and place? Did I bring enough tackle? (You can never have enough tackle in my mind.) Maybe I should follow my wife’s advice and just “Pick out the pretty ones”.
  4. The easiest way to choose a lure is to watch what other successful fishing nuts, er…experts, are using and copy them. Yes, it does work – sometimes. This brings to mind the old slogan – “Born to fish. Not to catch.”
  5. River water in the Spring can be cold and fast flowing. It is a no brainer to be careful while wading. This is said not from experience but from close encounters of the wet kind.
  6. It is also wise to check your waders for leaks before going fishing. Wet feet do not promote a good fishing experience. Either do the comments and/ or laughter caused by a wet crotch or seat of one’s pants. Friends and strangers can be counted on to add to an embarrassing situation. You know I’m right.
  7. Talking to the fish that are still swimming in the river is completely normal. I think. It may raise the eye brows of newbies but those who have been fishing for a period of time just smile and nod knowingly.
  8. The heron down the river from me is catching more fish than I am. What’s his secret?
  9. I sometimes think of the cost of fishing. One year while I was on the shoreline, I figured out that it cost me $78.00 a fish (approximately) that year. It is a good thing that I did not catch more fish or I’d be broke. It would be cheaper to buy them at the grocery store but where’s the fun in that?
  10. What type of story should I make up today in case I do not catch anything? I may leave this to think about later but the ones about stick fish or the strength of the river bed monsters are always a source of inspiration.
  11. Where are all those canoes coming from? Don’t they know I’m fishing here???
  12. 12. Hey! Is that guy using pop (?) cans to measure the length of the fish he just caught???
  13. 13. Am I having a good time? Yes, I think I am. Yes… I know I am. The fish are being kind to me today. At least no one is telling me it’s time to go. Darn, why did I think about having to “go”?