BY IAN MARSHALL
There is a brand new partnership in Nova Scotia to make our province’s harbours and fishing communities even safer places to live and work.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada has recently joined forces with Crime Stoppers, a non-profit, volunteer-run organization that involves the public, media and law enforcement working together. The new partnership will provide the fishing industry and general public with a simple and convenient way to let authorities know about illegal fishing activity.
Nova Scotia’s fisheries are a valuable resource for the coastal communities of our province and play an important role in Nova Scotia’s overall economic prosperity. Unfortunately, however, some of these valuable ocean species continue to be caught and sold in unlawful ways.
Illegally harvesting these resources threatens those whose livelihood depends on the fisheries, and puts the longer-term sustainability of the industry at risk.
In addition to reporting illegal fishing activity using existing means (such as contacting Fisheries and Oceans Canada directly), the public now can make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).
Taking just a moment to call the toll-free line, submit a report online, or even text a tip (www.tipsubmit.com) can help put an end to activities that are working against the fishing industry and harming fishing communities.
Crime Stoppers has been in Nova Scotia’s communities for over two decades and has gained an excellent reputation as a trustworthy organization. Individuals can feel safe and secure when providing tips without revealing their identity.
No matter how minor you think your tip may be, any information on fisheries-related incidents that have occurred or may occur in the future could prove to be extremely valuable in solving or preventing a fisheries offence – or could even save a life.
Any fishing activity that is illegal or seems suspicious should be reported, including: fishing in closed areas, fishing out of season, possessing lobsters or other seafood illegally, or damaging fish habitats.
Whether you have witnessed or heard about suspicious activity occurring at sea or on land, by an individual or a commercial entity, we would like to hear from you.
By reporting an illegal activity, you take on an active yet completely anonymous role in providing information that may lead to a successful prosecution.
A cash reward may even be granted to individuals providing tips that lead to arrests. Reporting tips can bring a happy ending for everyone except the offenders, and make Nova Scotia’s communities and oceans a safer place.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada expects that this newly formed partnership will carry on for years to come and lead to greater protection of fishery resources by bringing illegal activities to light.
Help us put the pieces together. You just might hold the missing piece of the puzzle – a piece that leads to a solved fishery offence, better protection of fishery resources and fishing communities, and the arrest of an offender.
(Ian Marshall is the DFO Area Director for southwestern Nova Scotia. If you have questions about this column or would you like to read about other DFO issues that affect you and your community in future columns send an email to CommEnquire@mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca or call (902) 426-3550.)
