Vandals target commercial fishing operation near Thessalon

An Ontario Provincial Police cruiser is shown in a winter setting in this undated image. (File photo/CTV News)

Ontario Provincial Police are investigating after a commercial fisherman discovered thousands of dollars worth of nets and fish had been vandalized or stolen near Thessalon Island on Lake Huron.

OPP received the report from a local commercial fisherman who attended the area to retrieve their catch and discovered their fishing equipment had been vandalized at about 10:45 a.m. on March 4.

Extensive damage, loss

Police said that an unknown culprit or culprits damaged twelve 100-yard commercial fishing nets, valued at approximately $5,000. The nets had been cut, pulled from the water, thrown onto the ice and further ripped or cut apart.

The net anchors used to secure the nets are also missing and are police said they believe the anchors were thrown into the lake.

“Approximately 1,400 to 1,600 pounds of Whitefish and Lake Trout, with an estimated value of $5,000, were taken,” said OPP.

Police said officers observed numerous snowmobile tracks at the scene and property related items left behind were seized.

The mischief and theft are believed to have occurred between March 1 at 4 p.m. and March 4, in the area of Thessalon Island, approximately five kilometres from the Town of Thessalon itself.

Ongoing investigation

Provincial police said the investigation remains ongoing and authorities are asking anyone with information about this incident, including anyone who may have recently been offered Whitefish or Lake Trout, to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously using reference #E260288309.

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