A Campbell River man has been convicted on two charges under Canada’s Fisheries Act for harvesting clams illegally.

Albert Joseph Thomas Blaney was also found guilty of illegal possession and fishing without a licence. He was fined $5,000.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans says the convictions stem from an incident in January 2023, during a routine inspection at the Heriot Bay Ferries terminal on Quadra Island.

Officers observed sacks of clams in a vehicle as it departed the ferry and subsequently found about 1,750 pounds of clams in 22 sacks, none of which bore tags indicating lawful harvest. At the time, there was no commercial harvest open.

The harvesting occurred in Klahoose First Nation territory and the DFO says the Nation was supportive of the investigation.

Unlicensed harvesting can deplete the resource, remove the opportunity for other licensed harvesters and threaten the significant economic and social benefit to coastal communities, including recreational fisheries, tourism, the livelihood of commercial harvesters and traditional food sources for Indigenous people.

The DFO notes that unlicensed harvesting can lead to illness or death if the clams were harvested from a contaminated area and then consumed.
DFO protects and conserves marine resources and enforces the Fisheries Act.

As part of DFO’s work to disrupt and prevent illegal activity, the Department asks the public for information on activities of this nature or any contravention of the Fisheries Act and regulations.

Anyone with information can call the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Pacific Region’s toll-free violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336 or email the details to DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.