Three non-B.C. residents are due in court in Gold River in November for alleged Fisheries Act violations Wednesday.
Nootka Sound RCMP was called for a report of significant overfishing on Sept. 11.
Authorities say when officers located the suspect vehicle, an inspection showed evidence of multiple violations of the Fisheries Act had been committed.
RCMP partnered with Conservation and Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in the investigation.
DFO officers found illegal possession of fish and seized 26 chinook salmon, 10 bags of salmon roe totalling about 24 kilograms, 18 rockfish filets, eight lingcod filets, along with a 30-foot (nine metre) vessel, fishing gear and equipment.
A 30-foot vessel seized by DFO officers investigating fisheries act violations Wednesday in Gold River. Photo courtesy Nootka Sound RCMP.
“These types of blatant violations and disrespect for conservation efforts affect all persons around Nootka Sound and Vancouver Island,” Nootka Sound RCMP Sgt. Josh Wiese said in a statement.
“We want to send a strong message that these behaviours get recognized and actions have consequences.”
Officers from the West and North Coast Vancouver Island DFO detachments are still investigating, with help from police.
Anyone with information on the investigation or any other illegal fishing activity can call the DFO Observe Record Report line at 1-800-465-4336 or the Nootka Sound RCMP at 250-283-2227.
The names of the three people who are set to appear in court have not been released by police.
CHEK News
