05-12-2004, 03:51 AM
POACHING ENDANGERED WHITE STURGEON RESULTS IN HEAVY PENALTIES
VANCOUVER - Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced today that Phuoc Van Le, a resident of Surrey, B.C., has been sentenced to 60 days in jail and fined $7,000 for catching and retaining endangered white sturgeon from the Fraser River.
On July 21, 2002, federal fishery officers from Steveston and provincial conservation officers conducted surveillance operations on Mr. Le while he was fishing on the Fraser River. A live sturgeon was seized from Mr. Le's vehicle, and was subsequently released alive back into the Fraser River by the officers. A warranted search of Mr. Le's residence uncovered two additional sturgeon in his freezer.
On April 5, 2004, in Surrey provincial court, Mr. Le was convicted on seven counts relating to the illegal retention of white sturgeon. He received a 60 day jail sentence and was fined $7,000, of which $5,000 will be directed towards sturgeon conservation activities. His vehicle was also forfeited.
Fraser River white sturgeon was recently designated by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) as "endangered" and is awaiting the legal listing process that forms part of the new federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). Illegal harvest of white sturgeon on the Fraser River is identified as a threat to the recovery of this species. Fishery officers and conservation officers are working in co-operation to combat this threat.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is extremely concerned with this type of unauthorized activity and asks for the continued assistance from the general public for information on activities of this nature or any contravention of the Fisheries Act and Regulations. Anyone with information can call the 24-hour, toll-free Observe, Record, and Report line at 1-800-465-4336.
-30-
Contact:
Michelle Imbeau
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
(604) 666-2872
[signature]
VANCOUVER - Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced today that Phuoc Van Le, a resident of Surrey, B.C., has been sentenced to 60 days in jail and fined $7,000 for catching and retaining endangered white sturgeon from the Fraser River.
On July 21, 2002, federal fishery officers from Steveston and provincial conservation officers conducted surveillance operations on Mr. Le while he was fishing on the Fraser River. A live sturgeon was seized from Mr. Le's vehicle, and was subsequently released alive back into the Fraser River by the officers. A warranted search of Mr. Le's residence uncovered two additional sturgeon in his freezer.
On April 5, 2004, in Surrey provincial court, Mr. Le was convicted on seven counts relating to the illegal retention of white sturgeon. He received a 60 day jail sentence and was fined $7,000, of which $5,000 will be directed towards sturgeon conservation activities. His vehicle was also forfeited.
Fraser River white sturgeon was recently designated by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) as "endangered" and is awaiting the legal listing process that forms part of the new federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). Illegal harvest of white sturgeon on the Fraser River is identified as a threat to the recovery of this species. Fishery officers and conservation officers are working in co-operation to combat this threat.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is extremely concerned with this type of unauthorized activity and asks for the continued assistance from the general public for information on activities of this nature or any contravention of the Fisheries Act and Regulations. Anyone with information can call the 24-hour, toll-free Observe, Record, and Report line at 1-800-465-4336.
-30-
Contact:
Michelle Imbeau
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
(604) 666-2872
[signature]