The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry laid 111 charges and issued 32 warnings during a four-week enforcement blitz within Peterborough County and the City of Kawartha Lakes.
From May 1 to May 28, 2018, conservation officers from the ministry’s Peterborough and Bancroft Enforcement Units checked 259 anglers. Officers were stationed in and around fish sanctuaries checking anglers for compliance with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, Ontario Fishery Regulations and Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations. They were also checking for anglers in possession of invasive species and for compliance with public safety laws for fishing in sanctuaries, on land and in waters. Charges and warnings were issued for:
· fishing in a fish sanctuary
· fishing with too many lines
· fishing without a licence
· possessing over-limits of fish
· keeping walleye of a prohibited size
· keeping bass during the closed season
· wasting flesh suitable for food
· trespass for the purpose of fishing
· not carrying a licence while fishing
Fishing equipment, fish and various archery equipment used to fish in a sanctuary were seized during the blitz.
Officers also laid charges and warnings under the Liquor Licence Act and Small Vessels Regulations for having open liquor in a vessel and failing to have a lifejacket in a vessel.
For more information on fishing regulations, please consult the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary<http://www.ontario.ca/travel-and-recreation/ontario-fishing-regulations-summary> available at Ontario.ca/fishing<http://www.ontario.ca/travel-and-recreation/fishing>.
To report a natural resources violation, call the MNRF TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667 toll-free any time or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). And visit Ontario.ca/mnrftips<http://ontario.ca/mnrftips> to view an interactive, searchable map of unsolved cases. You may be able to provide information that will help solve a case.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
