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CTV News
4 days ago
- CTV News
B.C. fisherman fined $25K after discarding more than 4,000 kg of caught rockfish
Dead rockfish are seen floating in the water off the side of the vessel in this image that was part of the evidence shared in court during sentencing. (DFO) A commercial fisherman who discarded more than 4,000 kilograms (9,000 pounds) of rockfish has been fined more than $25,000 for his actions, Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced Thursday. Roger Atchison pleaded guilty to multiple violations of the federal Fisheries Act in provincial court in Prince Rupert earlier this month, the DFO said in a news release. Atchison, the onboard captain and co-owner of the commercial fishing vessel Savage Eagle, discarded an estimated 4,305 kg (9,492 pounds) of rockfish between Oct. 18 and Oct. 23, 2023, according to the DFO. 'Since rockfish have a 100 per cent mortality rate, 100 per cent retention is required,' the department said in its release. 'A vessel will be charged full quota for any rockfish retained or discarded. A vessel that exceeds its quota for a species may be restricted from fishing.' Atchison did not report the fish that he caught and released, the DFO said. Online court records indicate Atchison was initially charged with 10 counts of failing to comply with the terms and conditions of his lease or licence. He pleaded guilty to two of the charges, and the rest were stayed. Atchison was fined $25,312 for his violations, according to the DFO. 'On the Pacific Coast, the rockfish fishery is managed carefully to ensure the long-term sustainability of 37 species caught in British Columbia's marine waters,' the department said. 'Rockfish are extremely susceptible to over-fishing due to their slow growth rates, low reproductive cycle and high-mortality when brought to the surface.' The DFO encouraged anyone with information about illegal fishing activity in B.C. to contact its violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336 or email the details to
Cision Canada
5 days ago
- General
- Cision Canada
British Columbia commercial rockfish harvester fined $25,312 for multiple violations Français
PRINCE RUPERT, BC, July 24, 2025 /CNW/ - On the Pacific Coast, the rockfish fishery is managed carefully to ensure the long-term sustainability of 37 species caught in British Columbia's marine waters. Rockfish are extremely susceptible to over-fishing due to their slow growth rates, low reproductive cycle and high-mortality when brought to the surface. As a result, all rockfish species caught in the commercial groundfish trawl fishery must be retained, accurately recorded, and reported to ensure that fishers do not exceed their quota. On July 9, 2025, in Prince Rupert provincial court, Roger Atchison, onboard captain and co-owner of the commercial fishing vessel Savage Eagle, pled guilty to multiple violations of Canada's Fisheries Act. Mr. Atchison released over 9,000 pounds of rockfish and failed to keep accurate and complete records of his fishing activities. These actions are violations of the conditions of his licence and occurred between October 18 and October 23, 2023, after his vessel left Prince Rupert to engage in commercial fishing in the Hecate Strait. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) protects and conserves marine resources, and enforces the Fisheries Act. As part of DFO's work to disrupt and prevent illegal activity, the Department asks the public for information on activities of this nature or any contravention of the Fisheries Act and regulations. Anyone with information can call DFO Pacific Region's toll-free violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336, or email the details to [email protected]. Quick Facts: Rockfish are a very long-lived sedentary species with an average life expectancy of 75 years, although some species can live to be well over 100 years of age. The slow growth rates, low reproductive cycle and sedentary life history of most rockfish means these species can be easily over-harvested. Since rockfish have a one hundred percent mortality rate, one hundred percent retention is required. A vessel will be charged full quota for any rockfish retained or discarded. A vessel that exceed its quota for a species may be restricted from fishing. In this case, it is estimated that 9,492 pounds of rockfish were discarded and not reported. Fishery officers conduct inspections both at-sea and dockside to verify compliance with licence conditions. Due to the complexity of the integrated groundfish management system, tracking of catch relies on review of fishing logbooks, electronic monitoring video systems, dockside monitoring programs and the groundfish audit system. Improper catch reporting has significant impact on the resources that DFO manages. Accurate catch reporting of fish, retained and released, is vital to the sustainability of the stocks. Stay Connected SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
NDTV
6 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Rs 27 Lakh For 1-Hour Bike Rally At Madhya Pradesh Event? Activists Seek Probe
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav played a key role in the formation of Ratapani Tiger Reserve, spread across Raisen and Sehore districts in Madhya Pradesh. A grand event titled "Jankalyan Parv" was organised on 13 December last year to celebrate it. But this event has stirred controversy after it emerged that over Rs 27 lakh was allegedly spent on a one-hour-long bike rally organised as part of the celebrations. Although the event was held away from the actual reserve area, a symbolic bike rally was carried out, during which a staggering Rs 26.43 lakh was spent for an hour-long function. The event was spearheaded by Bhopal Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Lokpriya Bharti and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Shubh Ranjan Sen. According to documents accessed via RTI, a staggering Rs 26.43 lakh was spent on organising the bike rally and related activities, Rs 7 lakh just for petrol for bikes, Rs 11.5 lakh on food Rs 2.36 lakh on helmets. RTI activist Ajay Dubey has filed a complaint with the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary, demanding a high-level probe headed by a retired judge. He alleges that the event expenses do not match the actual scale of the program. "The DFO claims food was served to 5,000 people, but photos and videos from the event do not show such a large crowd. This is a blatant misuse of public funds," Mr Dubey told NDTV. In response to the allegations, DFO Lokpriya Bharti defended the spending, saying, "About 5,000 bikers had participated, and the Rs 7 lakh petrol expense was approved. Payments for helmets and food were also made. We have all the records and are ready to present them if an inquiry committee asks."
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Three including minor boy killed in elephant rampage in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh, panic grips villages
RAIPUR: Three people including afive-year-old boy were trampled to death in an attack by an elephant and its calf, wreaking havoc across villages in Lailunga forest range in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday night. The victims were asleep inside their mud house when the elephants rolled the boy and woman in their trunk and threw them on ground. Besides, a man was trampled by elephants after he came under the debris of the house, the pachyderms damaged. The deadly rampage unfolded across Gosaidih and Mohanpur villages in Dharamjaigarh Forest Division in Raigarh. Eyewitnesses said the elephants first stormed into the villages, damaging several mud and brick homes, and then targeted fleeing residents. The two pachyderms then went to Mohanpur village and attacked Santara Bai Rathiya and Purushottam Khadia, leading to their death, Jitendra Upadhyay, Divisional Forest Officer of Dharamjaigarh told reporters. The DFO said that the team of forest department was alerted and separate teams rushed to the spot for rescue as well as recovering the bodies. An immediate aid of Rs 25,000 was provided to the kin of each deceased. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Surprising Habit Tied to Dementia—Millions Do It Without Realizing Memory Health Click Here Undo Forest officials said that the same elephant and calf had previously killed a villager in Bakaruma village a few days ago. The pair has been moving erratically through different villages, leaving a trail of destruction. Many residents have fled their homes, seeking refuge in safer areas. Angry villagers have accused the forest department of failing to issue timely warnings or provide adequate protection. Demands are growing for night patrols, emergency alert systems, and rapid response forest squads to prevent further casualties. DFO said that teams of forest personnel are closely monitoring the movement of elephants and alerting locals. Over 320 people were killed in such incidents over the last five years.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Yahoo
Property owner slapped with colossal fine after altering riverbank without permission: 'Measures must be taken'
Property owner slapped with colossal fine after altering riverbank without permission: 'Measures must be taken' A property owner on Vancouver Island was handed a $60,000 fine for altering a riverbank that was part of a salmon habitat without proper permissions, as Victoria Buzz reported. Fisheries and Oceans Canada found the damage to the Trent River on the property of David Tingley in May 2020. The Trent River is a vital habitat for salmon. Tingley was given a month to fix the damage but failed to do so, incurring a $60,000 fine. "Protecting fish and fish habit is vital to help sustain and support Canada's precious marine species," the DFO wrote. "Under Canada's Fisheries Act, measures must be taken to avoid causing the death of fish and any harmful alteration, disruption, or destruction of fish habitat when conducting any work or activities in or near water." Salmon are vital to the ecosystem. According to the Wild Salmon Center, at least 137 species rely on salmon for food. To humans, salmon have been a source of food and identity for as long as Native populations have lived in the area. Salmon are also a vital business in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest, contributing $3 billion to the industry and tens of thousands of jobs. However, salmon populations are declining because of logging, dams, and overfishing, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Other factors, such as pharmaceutical pollution and rising water temperatures, have affected salmon behavior, decreasing their reproductive cycles and lowering their presence in the food chain. Protected, clean waterways help ensure salmon populations stay healthy and can reproduce to maintain ecosystems, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration revealed. This isn't the first instance of a fine charged against property owners that affected salmon in the area. A B.C. man was fined $70,000 for dredging a creek, which led to a decline in the local salmon population. With fines, the DFO is able to carry out its mission of protecting the salmon populations of the Trent River and beyond. The money will go toward "the Environmental Damages Fund for the conservation and protection of salmon and salmon habitat in the Vancouver Island region," the agency's statement said. Conservation efforts have helped salmon populations all over the world. In England, salmon were able to spawn in one area after the removal of a dam. In Ireland, a revolutionary machine that allows 100 million salmon to travel across a previously impassible area was installed after successful testing in the United States and Canada. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
