FISHING WITHIN SWIFTSURE BANK CLOSED AREA LEADS TO FINE

Port Alberni, B.C. – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced today that Michael Edward Hicks, a recreational fishing guide operator, pled guilty to fishing in the Swiftsure Bank closed area, off of the southwest coast of Vancouver Island. 

Earlier this fall, Mr. Hicks of Sooke B.C., was conducting a guided fishing trip with four guests aboard his vessel, Predator, in the vicinity of Swiftsure Bank. Fishery officers were patrolling the area when they encountered Mr. Hick’s vessel approximately 0.67 nautical miles inside the closed area. Fishery officers seized the fishing gear that was being used at the time and issued a court appearance notice to Mr. Hicks.

On October 25, 2005 in Duncan provincial court, Mr. Hicks pled guilty to one count of fishing during a closed period, and was fined $2,000.

Swiftsure Bank is located approximately 10 nautical miles southwest of Vancouver Island at the western entrance to Juan de Fuca Strait. It is an area where deep offshore submarine canyons join the continental shelf. The ocean depth rises to within 40 meters of the surface on Swiftsure Bank.  Ocean currents along these deep canyons produce surface ocean conditions that are markedly different than those found in surrounding waters. These rising currents bring nutrient rich waters to the surface, and these nutrients are a food source for primary producers (plankton). The plankton provides an extensive food source for many species of fish which reside in and migrate through this area, including herring, halibut, rockfish, lingcod and salmon.

In 1992, in an effort to reduce fishing pressure and to conserve this productive area, DFO implemented a total closure to recreational and commercial fishing on the southwestern portion of Swiftsure Bank. This area continues to be closed to all recreational and commercial fishing.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada would like to remind the public that fishing in a closed area is considered a serious violation, and can compromise fisheries management objectives and lead to conservation concerns. DFO is extremely concerned with illegal activity and asks for assistance from the general public for information on activities of this nature or any contravention of the Fisheries Act and Regulations. Anyone with information can call the toll-free violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336.

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For more information:
 

Jeanette Lam
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
(604) 666 - 2872