Latest news with #RogerAtchison
CTV News
4 days ago
- CTV News
B.C. fisherman fined $25K after discarding more than 4,000 kg of caught rockfish
Dead rockfish are seen floating in the water off the side of the vessel in this image that was part of the evidence shared in court during sentencing. (DFO) A commercial fisherman who discarded more than 4,000 kilograms (9,000 pounds) of rockfish has been fined more than $25,000 for his actions, Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced Thursday. Roger Atchison pleaded guilty to multiple violations of the federal Fisheries Act in provincial court in Prince Rupert earlier this month, the DFO said in a news release. Atchison, the onboard captain and co-owner of the commercial fishing vessel Savage Eagle, discarded an estimated 4,305 kg (9,492 pounds) of rockfish between Oct. 18 and Oct. 23, 2023, according to the DFO. 'Since rockfish have a 100 per cent mortality rate, 100 per cent retention is required,' the department said in its release. 'A vessel will be charged full quota for any rockfish retained or discarded. A vessel that exceeds its quota for a species may be restricted from fishing.' Atchison did not report the fish that he caught and released, the DFO said. Online court records indicate Atchison was initially charged with 10 counts of failing to comply with the terms and conditions of his lease or licence. He pleaded guilty to two of the charges, and the rest were stayed. Atchison was fined $25,312 for his violations, according to the DFO. 'On the Pacific Coast, the rockfish fishery is managed carefully to ensure the long-term sustainability of 37 species caught in British Columbia's marine waters,' the department said. 'Rockfish are extremely susceptible to over-fishing due to their slow growth rates, low reproductive cycle and high-mortality when brought to the surface.' The DFO encouraged anyone with information about illegal fishing activity in B.C. to contact its violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336 or email the details to
Cision Canada
5 days ago
- General
- Cision Canada
British Columbia commercial rockfish harvester fined $25,312 for multiple violations Français
PRINCE RUPERT, BC, July 24, 2025 /CNW/ - On the Pacific Coast, the rockfish fishery is managed carefully to ensure the long-term sustainability of 37 species caught in British Columbia's marine waters. Rockfish are extremely susceptible to over-fishing due to their slow growth rates, low reproductive cycle and high-mortality when brought to the surface. As a result, all rockfish species caught in the commercial groundfish trawl fishery must be retained, accurately recorded, and reported to ensure that fishers do not exceed their quota. On July 9, 2025, in Prince Rupert provincial court, Roger Atchison, onboard captain and co-owner of the commercial fishing vessel Savage Eagle, pled guilty to multiple violations of Canada's Fisheries Act. Mr. Atchison released over 9,000 pounds of rockfish and failed to keep accurate and complete records of his fishing activities. These actions are violations of the conditions of his licence and occurred between October 18 and October 23, 2023, after his vessel left Prince Rupert to engage in commercial fishing in the Hecate Strait. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (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: Rockfish are a very long-lived sedentary species with an average life expectancy of 75 years, although some species can live to be well over 100 years of age. The slow growth rates, low reproductive cycle and sedentary life history of most rockfish means these species can be easily over-harvested. Since rockfish have a one hundred percent mortality rate, one hundred percent retention is required. A vessel will be charged full quota for any rockfish retained or discarded. A vessel that exceed its quota for a species may be restricted from fishing. In this case, it is estimated that 9,492 pounds of rockfish were discarded and not reported. Fishery officers conduct inspections both at-sea and dockside to verify compliance with licence conditions. Due to the complexity of the integrated groundfish management system, tracking of catch relies on review of fishing logbooks, electronic monitoring video systems, dockside monitoring programs and the groundfish audit system. Improper catch reporting has significant impact on the resources that DFO manages. Accurate catch reporting of fish, retained and released, is vital to the sustainability of the stocks. Stay Connected SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
