34 violations uncovered during cross-border fisheries operation this summer, DFO says

The DFO shared this photo of a vessel-based inspection with its release. (DFO)

Agencies from the U.S. and Canada are touting the success of a joint enforcement operation in coastal waters off British Columbia and Washington state this summer.

Dubbed “Operation Sea Dog 2025,” the effort ran for two days each month from May to August, resulting in a total of 90 vessel-based inspections and 14 land-based vehicle and beach inspections, Fisheries and Oceans Canada said in a news release this week.

Officers discovered 34 violations, including the use of barbed hooks, illegal shellfish harvesting, fishing without a licence, fishing during closed times, retaining undersized crabs, and the illegal retention of wild Chinook and Coho salmon, the DFO said.

The agencies participating in the operation included the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations—Bellingham Air and Marine Branch, Washington State Fish and Wildlife Police, the Canada Border Services Agency, RCMP and DFO Conservation and Protection.

“Operation Sea Dog is a good example of cross-border collaboration between both countries in protecting marine resources, ensuring compliance with fisheries regulations, and sharing intelligence,” the DFO said in its release.

“DFO’s National Fisheries Intelligence Service (NFIS) played a key role in supporting real-time intelligence sharing and coordination across agencies during the operation.”

Patrols occurred on May 28 and 29, June 26 and 27, July 16 and 17, and Aug. 14 and 15, according to the DFO, which said its NFIS and its Fisheries Aerial Surveillance and Enforcement aircraft helped check 336 vessels and 753 individuals over the course of the operation.

“Operation Sea Dog focused on high-visibility patrols in the Southern Gulf Islands, Juan de Fuca Strait, and the Strait of Georgia. Officers conducted recreational salmon fishing inspections, monitored area-based fishing closures and supported Southern Resident Killer Whale protection measures,” the DFO said.

The department asked anyone with information related to contraventions of the federal Fisheries Act and its regulations to call its violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336, or email the details to [e-mail].