A local commercial fishing boat captain was on the receiving end of some heavy fines from the province.
The provincial government and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry have fined a local fishing boat captain from Port Elgin for allegedly obstructing a conservation officer and failing to comply with conditions of their licence. The fines amount to $55,000 and an additional $5,000, respectively, after the accused plead guilty in provincial court.
The alleged obstruction offence occurred during February and March of 2018 when conservation officers accompanied the alleged offender on their commercial fishing boat on three occasions. The accused allegedly misled conservation officers regarding the locations of gill nets.
Additionally, the accused was alleged to have not reported a daily catch on a Daily Catch Report, as required under a commercial fish licence. The seized catch of fish was donated to OSHaRE, a hunger and relief effort located in Owen Sound.