American anglers fined over $70,000 for violating Canada’s Fisheries Act

Three American recreational anglers were ordered to pay more than $70,000 in fines and forfeitures by court for violating the Canadian Fisheries Act.

Washington State residents Bradley Wogalmott, Geoffrey Hoover, and Jonathan Magee plead guilty in Campbell River Provincial Court to numerous violations of Canada’s Fisheries Act.

The charges stem from a joint DFO and RCMP investigation in Gold River on September 11, 2019.

Nootka Sound RCMP acted on information that the three United States residents may have contravened the Fisheries Act while fishing in the area.

Fishery officers determined they didn’t all have valid fishing licences, that the catch was not accurately recorded, and that the fish had been processed in such a way that the species and size was difficult to determine.

Wogalmott was fined $15,000 and prohibited from fishing or holding a fishing licence anywhere in Canada for 10 years.

He was also ordered to forfeit all fishing equipment seized on the vessel being used, valued at over $6,000, and two outboard engines (300hp and 25hp Yamaha), valued at approximately $32,500.

He was also ordered to pay the storage and transport fees for the seized vessel, with an estimated cost of approximately $10,000.

Hoover was fined $5,000, received a 2-year prohibition against fishing or holding a fishing licence anywhere in Canada, and forfeited all of his fishing equipment that was seized as evidence.

Magee was also fined $5,000, received a 1-year prohibition against fishing or holding a fishing licence anywhere in Canada, and forfeited all of his fishing equipment.

Fishery Officer Greg Askey, Field Supervisor with the Campbell River DFO C&P Detachment, said this was “the most significant sport fish violation I have seen in my over 20-year career.”