Latest news with #PacificSunrise
CTV News
24-06-2025
- CTV News
Man fined nearly $37K for illegal halibut fishing in Haida Gwaii, B.C.
A commercial fisherman has been fined almost $37,000 for illegal fishing in the Haida Gwaii archipelago. Stefan Grega pleaded guilty to multiple violations of the federal Fisheries Act last month, according to a news release from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The DFO said the offences occurred during the 2022-23 commercial halibut fishery, when Grega 'illegally retained and sold fish' that he caught during a fishery closure. The specific offences to which Grega pleaded guilty are listed in online court records. They are: Two counts of purchasing, selling or possessing illegally caught fish One count of fishing during a closed time One count of catching or retaining fish from closed waters And one count of placing or setting fishing gear during a closed time All of the offences except one of the counts of possessing illegally caught fish occurred on May 4, 2022, according to court records. The remaining count happened on May 5, 2022. Grega, who was born in 1946, is the owner of the commercial fishing vessel the Pacific Sunrise, according to the DFO. The court imposed a total of $30,000 in fines – $10,000 for the placing or setting fishing gear charge and $5,000 for each other count. It also ordered Grega to pay $6,989.35, representing proceeds from the illegal harvest, the DFO said. The federal department said it regulates seven distinct commercial sectors of B.C.'s groundfish fisheries, all of which are 'highly regulated and managed to conserve the stocks.' Commercial groundfish fisheries are 'fully monitored at sea and dockside through either electronic systems or onboard observers,' the DFO said, adding that electronic monitoring video systems, fishing logbooks, dockside monitoring and the 'Groundfish Audit System' were all 'instrumental in identifying and investigating Mr. Grega's illegal activities.' Anyone with information about contraventions of the Fisheries Act and its associated regulations should call the DFO Pacific Region's violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336, or email the details to the department said.
Cision Canada
24-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Court imposes a fine of nearly $37,000 for British Columbia commercial groundfish harvester Français
, June 24, 2025 /CNW/ - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) manages groundfish fisheries for seven distinct commercial sectors on the Pacific Coast: Groundfish trawl, Halibut, Sablefish, Inside Rockfish, Outside Rockfish, Lingcod, and Dogfish. These fisheries are highly regulated and managed to conserve the stocks and support economic prosperity for the communities who fish there. On May 22, 2025, Stefan Grega, owner of the commercial fishing vessel the Pacific Sunrise, pled guilty to multiple violations of Canada's Fisheries Act. During the 2022-2023 commercial Halibut fishery, Mr. Grega illegally retained and sold fish caught in the Haida Gwaii Archipelago during a fishery closure. The court imposed a $30,000 fine and ordered Mr. Grega to pay an additional $6,989.35, representing proceeds from the illegal harvest, resulting in a total financial penalty of $36,989.35. 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: The Pacific Region commercial Groundfish fishery is fully monitored at-sea and dockside through either electronic systems or onboard observers to ensure compliance with regulations and support sustainable management. Electronic monitoring data is reviewed by third-party providers to detect closed-area fishing and verify catch records, with any potential violations reported to DFO. DFO's inspection process relies on several tools and programs, including fishing logbooks, electronic monitoring video systems, the dockside monitoring program and the Groundfish Audit System. These were all instrumental in identifying and investigating Mr. Grega's illegal activities. In Canada, fish can only be bought or sold if caught by someone who holds a valid commercial fishing licence which specifies that they can sell their catch. Any fish sold must be processed through a licensed plant to ensure quality and public safety. Fish that has not been inspected may be unsafe for consumption and could pose significant health risks. SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
