A pair of recreational prawn harvesters has been fined a combined $7,400 for fishing in the vicinity of an environmentally sensitive glass sponge reef in Howe Sound, according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The incident occurred last December near Passage Island, the DFO said in a statement Monday, explaining that fishery officers on a routine patrol had encountered prawn traps in the area. According to the DFO, Xiu Qiang Song was convicted in North Vancouver provincial court on Sept. 14 for fishing during a closed time. Martin Madden was convicted of the same offence on June 4 of this year. Song received a $5,000 fine and Madden a $2,400 fine, the DFO said. Online court records show a third individual was charged on the same file and also convicted in June. Long Li was found guilty of catching and retaining undersized salmon and fined $300. “Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) reminds recreational harvesters to respect fishing closures, which protect sensitive marine ecosystems and help sustain fish and shellfish resources for the long term,” the DFO said in its statement. “Glass sponge reefs are globally unique ancient ecosystems that are ecologically vital, biologically fragile, and under threat from human activity,” the federal department added, noting that the sponges “are among the oldest living animals on Earth, with some reefs thought to be over 9,000 years old.” The DFO asks anyone with information about suspected fisheries violations to call its Pacific region toll-free reporting line at 1-800-465-4336, or email DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
