Dartmouth, Nova Scotia - On the evening of May 15, 2024, fishery officers from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), as well as border services officers from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), seized approximately 109 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The elvers were destined to be shipped overseas.
The seized elvers are estimated to be worth between $400,000 and $500,000.
An investigation into this matter, for violations under the Fisheries Act, is now underway.
This seizure is the result of a coordinated operation involving officers from DFO's Conservation & Protection Directorate and National Fisheries Intelligence Service, in cooperation with the CBSA Commercial Operations District and intelligence teams.
On March 11, DFO announced that the elver fishery would not open this year due to conservation and safety concerns. Any individual caught fishing for elvers will face enforcement actions under the Fisheries Act and the Maritime Provinces Fishery Regulations. Any acts of violence or harassment towards fishery officers will not be tolerated and will be reported to the appropriate police force.
The public is encouraged to report any suspected unauthorized elver fishing, purchasing, or selling by calling 1-800-565-1633 and selecting option 6, or by contacting their local Conservation and Protection detachment.
