Photo from the Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Facebook

By Everything GP

ILLEGAL FISHING

Over 30 individuals facing charges after undercover investigation into illegal fish trafficking

Jan 29, 2020 | 8:39 AM

EDMONTON- An undercover investigation into fish trafficking in Northern and Central Alberta has ended after two years with over 30 arrests..

The investigation began in November 2017 after Fish and Wildlife received information alleging the illegal trafficking of fish was happening in the High Prairie and Faust areas.

Thirty-three individuals from High Prairie, Faust, Slave Lake, Morinville, Edmonton, Vegreville, Bashaw, Castor, and Halkirk have been charged with 80 counts under Alberta’s General Fisheries Regulations.

Charges include the unlawful sale, purchase and possession of fish, including lake whitefish and walleye.

The final undercover buy went on January 23 and resulted in the seizure of a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 truck, four gill nets, five fish tubs, and gill netting equipment.

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Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement say the investigation found a network of illegal killers and buyers of fish, that were netted mostly in Lesser Slave Lake and Winagami Lake, disguised as Metis and Treaty domestic fishing rights.

Fish and Wildlife say an estimated 12,000 lbs of fish were allegedly killed and then trafficked.

The penalty for trafficking fish is a maximum $100,000 and one-year in jail per count.

Initial court appearances are scheduled throughout February and Fish and Wildlife say the fish seized during the operation will go to people in need throughout the province.

Alberta Fish and Wildlife is reminding people with information on wildlife or fishery violations to call the 24-hour Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800.