U.S. RESIDENT FINED $8,400 FOR ILLEGAL OUTFITTING

A United States resident has been convicted of illegal outfitting under The Outfitter and Guide Regulations and fined a total of $8,400 in provincial court in Nipawin.

Joel Vasek of Geddes, South Dakota, U.S. was found guilty of unlawfully acting as an outfitter without a licence. In addition to the fines, he was prohibited from having an angling licence for three years and had to pay $1,000 in impound fees for the equipment that was seized from him.

Ministry of Environment conservation officers initiated an investigation in 2009 after receiving public complaints regarding a resident of South Dakota who was illegally guiding U.S. residents on the Saskatchewan River near Nipawin. Officers determined that the subject was unlawfully advertising trophy walleye fishing trips on the internet and acting as an outfitter without an outfitter's licence and he was subsequently charged.

"Excessive fishing can hurt efforts to maintain game fish populations," Ministry of Environment Compliance and Enforcement Director Ken Aube said. "Illegal outfitting affects existing licenced outfitters, as well as other users such as commercial fishers and recreational anglers. We hope that the significant penalty imposed by the courts in this case will serve as a deterrent to those who try to profit from the illegal use of our fish and wildlife resources."

Anyone who is aware of or who suspects fisheries, wildlife, forestry or environmental violations is encouraged to report them to the nearest Ministry of Environment office or to call the province's toll-free Turn In Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-667-7561 or #5555 for SaskTel cell phone subscribers. Callers may be eligible for cash rewards through the SASKTIP
Reward Program.

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For more information, contact:

Jeanette Krayetski
Environment
Prince Albert
Phone: 306-953-2691
Email: jeanette.krayetski@gov.sk.ca