Four men are under investigation after being caught with an illegal haul of rockfish and ling cod.
RCMP say officers with the South Vancouver Island Traffic Services stopped a pickup pulling a large Trophy fishing boat on a trailer with no lights at around 10 p.m. on September 7.
While investigating possible vehicle infractions, they noticed the smell of fish coming from the back of the truck and spotted two large coolers.
Inside the coolers, they found a number of rockfish well over the possession limit, as well as ling cod which were undersized and illegal.
After a complete search, four more coolers of fish were found on the boat.
RCMP say the following was seized:
71 China rockfish (limit is 1 per day per person)
27 Canary rockfish (all other rockfish, 3 per day per person)
2 Black rockfish
2 Vermillion rockfish
12 Ling Cod (3 legal size and 9 undersize)
8 Sculpin
3 Flounder
The fish were seized, as was the boat trailer for safety violations.
Officers from the Georgia Basin South DFO continue to investigate with help from the South Vancouver Island Traffic Services.
“It is these types of flagrant violations that undermine our coastal fisheries that are enjoyed by so many law abiding and conscientious members of the Sportfishing community on our island,” a press release announcing the seizure reads.
Anyone with information on this or any other illegal fishing activities can contact the DFO Observe Record and Report line at 1 800 465 4336, Crime Stoppers 1 800 222 8477 (TIPS) or any RCMP detachment.
CHEK News
