$50,000 Fine For Importing Live Asian Carp
A Toronto fish importing company and the company president have been fined a total of $50,000 for possessing live Asian Carp in Ontario.
Xionyin Trading Inc., of Toronto pleaded guilty to possessing live invasive fish and was fined $40,000. Xiong Wang of Markham, also pleaded guilty to possessing live invasive fish and was fined $10,000. Additionally, 2,472 kilograms (5,450 pounds) of seized Bighead Carp valued at $3,270 was forfeited to the Crown. Charges against the second company representative are still before the court.
The court heard that on January 20, 2011, the Canada Border Services Agency at the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward contacted the Ministry of Natural Resources to assist with the inspection of a truck hauling fish from the state of Arkansas into Ontario. Conservation officers inspected the truck and located a substantial amount of live bighead carp in the truck and subsequently seized all the fish.
It has been illegal to possess live invasive fish including, Bighead, Grass, Black and Silver Carp in Ontario since 2005 because of the significant threat they pose to the province’s lake systems. As part of the ongoing efforts to protect Ontario’s environment from the importation of invasive species, the Ministry of Natural Resources will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to monitor compliance with the legislation.
The Honourable Justice Deborah J. Austin heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, in Sarnia, on June 22, 2012.
To report a natural resource violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
