Latest news with #FisheriesAct
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Property owner fined $60,000 for destroying vital fish habitat on Vancouver Island, B.C.
COURTENAY, BC, June 10, 2025 /CNW/ - Protecting fish and fish habit is vital to help sustain and support Canada's precious marine species. Under Canada's Fisheries Act, measures must be taken to avoid causing the death of fish and any harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat when conducting any work or activities in or near water. On January 23, 2025, in Courtenay Provincial Court, area resident David Tingley was found guilty of failing to correct work that he had done illegally on his property, that affected fish and fish habitat on the Trent River. Mr. Tingley was fined $60,000, which was directed to the Environmental Damages Fund for the conservation and protection of salmon and salmon habitat in the Vancouver Island region. The case stems from work carried out without Fisheries Act authorization over successive years on one of Mr. Tingley's properties, which is bisected by the Trent River, an important fish bearing watercourse. DFO protects and conserves marine resources, and enforces the Fisheries Act. As part of DFO's work to disrupt and prevent illegal activity, the Department asks the public for information on activities of this nature or any contravention of the Fisheries Act and regulations. Anyone with information can call DFO Pacific Region's toll-free violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336, or email the details to Quick Facts: Mr. Tingley made habitat alterations to the riverbank without appropriate authorizations. On May 15, 2020, Mr. Tingley was ordered to remediate the damage to the riverbank on his property by June 15 2020. Failure to comply with the order resulted in charges of failing to follow the direction of a fishery officer. Fishery officers work closely with biologists from DFO's Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program to ensure any work undertaken near water complies with the fish and fish habitat protection provisions of the Fisheries Act. There are serious consequences for non-compliance with the fish and fish habitat protection provisions of the Fisheries Act - Fish and fish habitat protection policy statement, August 2019 ( Associated Link: Projects near water ( Stay Connected Follow Fisheries and Oceans Canada on X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Follow the Canadian Coast Guard on X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region View original content to download multimedia:
Cision Canada
2 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Property owner fined $60,000 for destroying vital fish habitat on Vancouver Island, B.C. Français
COURTENAY, BC, June 10, 2025 /CNW/ - Protecting fish and fish habit is vital to help sustain and support Canada's precious marine species. Under Canada's Fisheries Act, measures must be taken to avoid causing the death of fish and any harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat when conducting any work or activities in or near water. On January 23, 2025, in Courtenay Provincial Court, area resident David Tingley was found guilty of failing to correct work that he had done illegally on his property, that affected fish and fish habitat on the Trent River. Mr. Tingley was fined $60,000, which was directed to the Environmental Damages Fund for the conservation and protection of salmon and salmon habitat in the Vancouver Island region. The case stems from work carried out without Fisheries Act authorization over successive years on one of Mr. Tingley's properties, which is bisected by the Trent River, an important fish bearing watercourse. DFO protects and conserves marine resources, and enforces the Fisheries Act. As part of DFO's work to disrupt and prevent illegal activity, the Department asks the public for information on activities of this nature or any contravention of the Fisheries Act and regulations. Anyone with information can call DFO Pacific Region's toll-free violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336, or email the details to [email protected]. Quick Facts: Mr. Tingley made habitat alterations to the riverbank without appropriate authorizations. On May 15, 2020, Mr. Tingley was ordered to remediate the damage to the riverbank on his property by June 15 2020. Failure to comply with the order resulted in charges of failing to follow the direction of a fishery officer. Fishery officers work closely with biologists from DFO's Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program to ensure any work undertaken near water complies with the fish and fish habitat protection provisions of the Fisheries Act. There are serious consequences for non-compliance with the fish and fish habitat protection provisions of the Fisheries Act - Fish and fish habitat protection policy statement, August 2019 ( Stay Connected SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Rogue fishers still blast the depths
Explosive danger: Damaged coral beds and dead marine species are tragic reminders that the destructive practice of fish bombing remains a threat. KOTA KINABALU: Fish bombing. A mere two-word term but the destructive act, which began decades ago in Sabah, has yet to be stopped. 'It is still happening despite the increased patrols and awareness programmes held for the locals,' said Deus Diving Club (DDC) president Sim Fui. 'We believe stronger and more consistent enforcement is key. 'This includes tighter maritime surveillance in known hotspots and community-based intelligence gathering involving local fishermen and dive operators,' he said. He suggested that there be stricter penalties for offenders to serve as deterrents. Under the Fisheries Act, fish bombing is punishable with fines not exceeding RM20,000 or a jail term of up to two years or both. According to Save Our Seas Foundation, fishermen use home-made bottle bombs packed with fertiliser and kerosene, which are detonated by a fuse inserted through the top. Sim said there should also be increased funding and training for enforcement agencies such as the marine police and Sabah Parks, adding that more education and outreach programmes should be held for coastal communities to promote sustainable fishing alternatives. Sim said the DDC is a community of divers and ocean advocates concerned about the persistence of fish bombing, particularly around the west coast and the northern reefs. He said the underwater explosions, damaged coral beds, and dead marine species are tragic reminders that this destructive practice remains a threat. The dangers of fish bombing extend beyond ecological destruction as it poses serious danger to recreational divers, marine researchers, and local communities, he said. He said that sudden underwater explosions can cause barotrauma, disorientation, or even fatalities to divers in the vicinity. Ultimately, he said that protecting Sabah's marine heritage is a shared responsibility. 'We call upon all stakeholders – from authorities to NGOs to tourism operators – to work together towards a future where our oceans are safe and thriving with fish bombing a thing of the past,' he said. He acknowledged fish bombing cases are not as rampant as before. 'But we still receive occasional reports from our members and dive operators, especially in less patrolled areas,' he said. In fact, recent engagement programmes with coastal communities found that some fishermen even lost their limbs due to fish bombing. A news report six months ago said that a sea gypsy was fishing in waters off Semporna several years ago when his boat sank after a sudden blast at sea. Though his friends came to his aid, he had also lost part of his arm. His testimony was shared in a documentary on the sea people of Sabah during a conference on plastic pollution and fish bombing organised by environmental organisation Blu Hope. Previous reports by authorities show that raids on fishing vessels often lead to the seizure of explosives believed to be used for illegal fishing.
Canada Standard
5 days ago
- General
- Canada Standard
Government of Canada Provides Early Decision on Flood Diversion Project in New Brunswick
June 5, 2025 -Ottawa-Impact Assessment Agency of Canada The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) has completed its review of the Sussex Region Flood Diversion Project, a new permanent flood control management system in Sussex, New Brunswick, and determined that its potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction would be limited or addressed through other means. The proponent, the Town of Sussex, may now move forward with obtaining any necessary authorizations and permits from federal and provincial authorities. To arrive at its section .16 decision under the Impact Assessment Act , IAAC engaged other jurisdictions, federal experts, stakeholders, the public, and Indigenous Peoples to review the project description and identify potential impacts to federal jurisdiction and ensure they can be appropriately mitigated. After a careful review of these issues, the proponent's response and other factors, including comments from the public, IAAC determined that the potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction would be limited or addressed through existing federal and provincial laws and regulations. These include but are not limited to the Fisheries Act , Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 , Species at Risk Act , the New Brunswick Clean Environment Act , and the Watercourse and Wetland Alteration Permit under the New Brunswick Clean Water Act . As a result, a more comprehensive impact assessment is not required. The documents and list of factors considered can be found in IAAC's decision with reasons.
Cision Canada
5 days ago
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Government of Canada Provides Early Decision on Flood Diversion Project in New Brunswick
OTTAWA, ON, June 5, 2025 /CNW/ - The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) has completed its review of the Sussex Region Flood Diversion Project, a new permanent flood control management system in Sussex, New Brunswick, and determined that its potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction would be limited or addressed through other means. The proponent, the Town of Sussex, may now move forward with obtaining any necessary authorizations and permits from federal and provincial authorities. To arrive at its section .16 decision under the Impact Assessment Act, IAAC engaged other jurisdictions, federal experts, stakeholders, the public, and Indigenous Peoples to review the project description and identify potential impacts to federal jurisdiction and ensure they can be appropriately mitigated. After a careful review of these issues, the proponent's response and other factors, including comments from the public, IAAC determined that the potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction would be limited or addressed through existing federal and provincial laws and regulations. These include but are not limited to the Fisheries Act, Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, Species at Risk Act, the New Brunswick Clean Environment Act, and the Watercourse and Wetland Alteration Permit under the New Brunswick Clean Water Act. As a result, a more comprehensive impact assessment is not required. The documents and list of factors considered can be found in IAAC's decision with reasons. Quick Facts The Town of Sussex, New Brunswick, is proposing the construction and operation of a new permanent flood control management system. As proposed, the Sussex Region Flood Diversion Project would consist of two new diversion channels and divert water from Trout Creek and Parsons Brook around the Town to the Kennebecasis River during flood events. IAAC facilitates the sustainable development of major projects subject to the Impact Assessment Act through open and efficient assessments. These assessments identify ways to ensure the environment and Indigenous Rights are protected as projects get built. To support needed investment in major projects, we work closely with other jurisdictions to achieve the goal of "one project, one assessment." Canada and the Atlantic provinces work together on improving the efficiency of assessments of major projects and have successfully coordinated several processes to the extent possible, such as on timelines, comment periods, documentation and the sharing of expertise. Decisions like these ensure that Canada's impact assessment process is efficient by determining at an early stage whether an impact assessment is required or not.
