Sechelt, British Columbia - Canada's marine species are a precious resource and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)'s mandate is to help sustain and protect them, now and for the future.
On January 16, 2025, in Sechelt Provincial Court, the Honourable Judge S. Merrick found Rainbow Covenant Fishing Yacht Charter Ltd. (formerly operated as Mctec Fishing Charters), and two of its guides, Jonathan Li and Guang Yi Xu, guilty of catching and retaining Yelloweye Rockfish during closed time, and of fishing with illegal crab traps. Yelloweye Rockfish is one of 38 species of rockfish found along the coast of British Columbia (B.C.), and is of Special Concern under Canada's Species at Risk Act (SARA). Commercial and recreational fishing restrictions have been in place in 162 Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs) since 2007, however, Yelloweye Rockfish continue to be highly vulnerable to overfishing.
The case resulted from an inspection by fishery officers from DFO's Conservation and Protection Directorate. DFO fishery officers support the Department's ongoing efforts to rebuild, protect and sustain rockfish populations, through regular patrols in RCAs and enforcing the Fisheries Act and its regulations, including by carrying out investigations and laying charges against alleged offenders
On May 18, 2024, the two accused individuals were working as fishing guides aboard the recreational fishing charter vessel "Deep Sniper" in the Sechelt area, near Nelson Island. The vessel was skippered by Mr. Xu, assisted by the deckhand, Mr. Li. Mr. Xu was observed intentionally targeting Yelloweye Rockfish and allowing the 10 fishing guests onboard to catch and retain them. It is prohibited to retain this species; they must be released immediately if caught. After numerous Yelloweye Rockfish were confirmed to have been caught and retained on the "Deep Sniper", fishery officers intercepted the vessel and boarded it.
The company and guides entered guilty pleas and Justice Merrick ordered the Charter company, co-owned by Mr. Li, to pay a fine of $12,000, with a further $1,000 fine for Mr. Li, and a fine of $9,000 for Mr. Xu, for a total of $22,000. Additionally, all fish caught, plus eight fishing rods and reels and two crab traps, were forfeited. The court also ordered various other fishing related restrictions that will take effect in May 2025.
It is everyone's responsibility to know the applicable rules before they engage in fishing activities, and to play their part in ensuring that B.C.'s fish species and their habitats are protected and sustained. This is especially true for those that make a professional living from Canada's marine resources.
