28 Feb, 2002 DFO News Release NR-PR-02-015E February 28, 2002 COMMERCIAL PRAWN HARVESTER FINED FOR FISHERIES-RELATED VIOLATIONS Prince Rupert, B.C. – Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced today that a commercial Prawn harvester was convicted for violations of the Fisheries Act and Regulations. In August 2001, Michael David Hanson of Surrey, B.C. was charged with failing to permit a Fisheries and Oceans Observer to board his commercial fishing vessel and failing to comply with a condition of his commercial fishing licence. Fisheries and Oceans Canada employs observers who provide an important role both on the water and on land. At-sea observers and dock-side monitors perform duties such as monitoring and observing fishing activities, examining and measuring fishing gear, recording of scientific data, taking samples and various other tasks. It is an offence under the Fisheries Act and Regulations to prevent these people from carrying out their assigned duties. Mr. Hanson was fined a total of $600 in Prince Rupert provincial court. The Department is very concerned about the protection of the resource, and asks for assistance from the general public in reporting activities of this nature or any contravention of the Fisheries Act and Regulations. Anyone with information can call the 24-hour, toll-free Observe, Record, Report line at 1-800-465-4336.   - 30 -   For more information contact: John Inkpen Fishery Officer – Prince Rupert Fisheries and Oceans Canada (250) 627-3401