MNR issued 111 charges during enforcement blitz

MNR News Release

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The Ministry of Natural Resources laid 111 charges and issued 75 warnings during a two-week enforcement blitz in northeastern Ontario.



While conservation officers focused much of their effort on public safety due to the extreme fire conditions in northeastern Ontario, officers did check 1,500 anglers and other resource users from May 19 to June 1 to ensure compliance with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and the Ontario Fishing Regulations. The blitz coincided with the general opening of walleye season in northeastern Ontario.



Charges were issued for:

* having an over-limit of walleye

* fishing in a sanctuary

* unlawful transportation and packaging of caught fish.



A total of 31 walleye and other illegally harvested fish were seized.



Charges and warnings were also laid under the Forest Fire Prevention Act, Small Vessels Act and Liquor Licence Act. Several of the violations were related to non-compliance with the Restricted Fire Zone that was in place in northeastern Ontario at the time of the blitz.



For more information on fishing regulations, please consult the 2012 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary before heading out to fish. The summary is available at ServiceOntario/ Government Information Centres, from licence issuers, as well as on the ministry's website at ontario.ca/fishing .



To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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