VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 8, 2024
/CNW/ - On May 24, 2024, the
Honourable Judge Roy Dickey fined
Brent Belveal, owner and operator of
the commercial Halibut fishing vessel Gypsy Soul, a total of
$33,596 for offences under
Canada's Fisheries Act. Mr.
Belveal pleaded guilty to fishing inside of the Hecate Strait Queen
Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reef Marine Protected Area (MPA) near
Bella Bella, B.C., and for selling
his illegal catch.
An impact statement submitted to the Provincial Court by a
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) subject matter expert outlined
the unique nature of the sponge reefs and the potential harms done
by illegal fishing within the MPA. The glass sponge reefs are
approximately 9,000 years old, and are considered to be the largest
living example of glass sponge reefs that were abundant millions of
years ago. The slow growth, fragility and highly sensitive nature
and structure of these sponges make the reefs particularly
vulnerable to damage and disturbance, since recovery may take tens
to several hundreds of years. Harvesters who disregard fishery
closures under the Fisheries Act and the Oceans Act
MPA regulations pose a risk of causing new damage to the reefs, and
undermine decades of work to provide protection to these globally
unique ecosystems.
DFO has a mandate to protect and conserve marine resources and
to enforce 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 DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Additional multimedia
Image – Glass sponge
Video – Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound
Glass Sponge Reefs Marine Protected Area
Quick Facts
- The case stems from illegal fishing activity on April 4 and 5, 2020, captured through the
electronic monitoring data that is provided to the Department as a
licence condition for Groundfish, such as halibut, and other
commercial fishing fleets.
- The Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs
MPA was designated under the Oceans Act in February 2017.
- Given the historical engagement of the groundfish sector on the
MPA closures, current technology and electronic equipment available
and used by fishermen, and the extensive and highly publicized
sponge reef closed areas, it is the responsibility of all
harvesters to know the rules and follow them.
Associated links
- At-sea observers and electronic monitoring
- Groundfish Integrated Fisheries Management Plan
- Hecate Strait/Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs
Marine Protected Area
- Pacific glass sponge reefs
Stay connected
- Follow Fisheries and Oceans Canada on X, Facebook, Instagram,
YouTube and LinkedIn.
- Follow the Canadian Coast Guard on X, Facebook, Instagram,
YouTube and LinkedIn.
SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region