Fisheries and Oceans Canada seize hundreds of illegal, ghost traps near White Rock, B.C. – BC | 24CA News

Crews from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) have spent the previous week gathering unlawful traps and fishing gear close to White Rock, B.C.

According to officers, round 60 unlawful traps have been seized every day over the course of the five-day operation in Boundary Bay.

Crews acquire the traps utilizing a line and grapple hook, which is thrown over the aspect of a patrol boat, then dragged throughout the ocean flooring.

They’re in search of each traps that have been deliberately positioned within the ocean illegally in addition to traps which were deserted however are nonetheless energetic, which is known as “ghost gear.”

“It’s a problem. It impacts resources greatly. We have no idea how much (illegal and ghost gear) is out there,” stated Art Demsky, a DFO detachment commander.

“Gear gets lost and abandoned, and continues to fish everywhere around the coast and it’s harmful. Harmful to the environment and those that rely on the industry.”

Demsky stated their operation is proscribed by the variety of officers they’ve. They rely closely on public tricks to catch and take away unlawful fishing and trapping.

Anyone that sees criminal activity is requested to contact the DFO’s observe, report, and report line at 1-800-465-4336.

Deploying an unlawful entice may end up in a high quality of as much as $500,000 underneath Canada’s Fisheries Act.

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