British Columbia commercial fishing vessel captain fined $250,000 and ordered to forfeit $80,000 equipment for setting prawn traps in a glass sponge marine refuge near Sechelt.
A British Columbia commercial fishing vessel captain has been fined $250,000 and ordered to forfeit $80,000 worth of equipment after being caught setting prawn traps in a protected glass sponge marine refuge near Sechelt. The unnamed vessel master also had to forfeit 553 commercial prawn traps and 450 pounds of live prawns. The marine refuge, off-limits to prawn fishing due to the fragile nature of the glass sponge habitat, is considered a "globally unique ecosystem" providing habitat to various marine species.
February 23, 2024
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