September 21, 2026

Campbell River, British Columbia – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) reminds harvesters that shellfish closures are established to protect public health and that the status of harvest areas can change regularly. Harvesters should check DFO’s SHELLI map before every harvest, as shellfish harvested in closed areas may contain contaminants, bacteria, viruses, or marine biotoxins that are not visible and can cause serious illness, or death. Harvesting from these areas is both illegal and unsafe and puts the public at risk, threatens sustainable fisheries, and disadvantages harvesters who comply with the law.

On July 14, 2026, in Campbell River Provincial Court, five recreational harvesters were convicted and fined a total of $19,000 for illegal fishing activities. Jucy Canupin received a $5,000 fine for harvesting shellfish from a prohibited area, violating licence conditions, and providing a false statement to a fishery officer. Ma Arleen Paz and Sylvina Matias were each fined $4,000 for harvesting shellfish from a prohibited area and licence violations, while Alma Catubay and Ingracia Dalde were each fined $3,000 for harvesting shellfish from a prohibited area.

These convictions followed a routine low-tide patrol on June 25, 2025, where DFO fishery officers inspected a group of individuals harvesting shellfish along the Campbell River waterfront, an area closed under the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program for public health protection. Misleading or obstructing fishery officers is a serious offence that hinders conservation and enforcement efforts and can result in substantial penalties.

The Department is committed to enforcing the Fisheries Act and related regulations. Anyone with information about suspected fisheries violations is encouraged to contact DFO Pacific Region’s toll-free violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336 or email [email protected].