21-07-2025
Wheatley fisherman fined in ‘illegal fishing practice'
The Ministry of Natural Resources has charged a Wheatley man for 'illegal commercial fishing practices.'
According to a news release, between July 28 and Aug. 18, 2023, the suspect was the captain of a commercial fishing vessel out of Port Stanley. During his time as captain, the man fished for multiple days, but the ministry said he did not log those activities in his book, while also inaccurately reporting where his gill nets were in the lake.
Commercial fishing on Lake Erie is regulated by commercial fishing licenses with specific conditions to ensure the sustainability of the lake.
The man was found guilty of failing to comply with the terms and conditions in a license. As a result, he was fined $11,000 and got a court order that requires him to use commercial fishing boats with a monitored GPS.
Commercial Fishing License Holder 538411 out of Leamington also pled guilty to being a party for the same offence on six counts. The corporation was fined $2,500.
