DFO announced November 2 that two recreational fishers were fined a combined $7,400 for unlawful prawn fishing in a glass sponge reef closure in Howe Sound.
Fines announced for a closed fishing area
Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced November 2 that two recreational harvesters had been fined a combined C$7,400 for illegal prawn fishing in a closed area near Passage Island in Howe Sound, British Columbia. The department says fishery officers found active traps in the Queen Charlotte Channel 1 Glass Sponge Reef closure during a patrol on December 11, 2025. The court convictions occurred in 2026: one on June 4 and the other on September 14. The announcement date should not be misread as the date of the fishing event.
What the court decisions involved
DFO reports Xiu Qiang Song was convicted in North Vancouver Provincial Court of fishing during a closed time and fined C$5,000 on September 14. Martin Madden was previously convicted of the same type of offence under British Columbia sport-fishing rules and fined C$2,400 on June 4. The combined amount is C$7,400. CDN News is reporting the completed convictions documented by the federal department, not alleging additional offences beyond those in the published record.
Why sponge reefs are protected
Glass sponge reefs are fragile marine ecosystems found in parts of coastal British Columbia, including Howe Sound. The department says these organisms grow only about one to two centimetres a year and can be damaged by fishing gear or disturbed sediment. Reef closures are intended to reduce physical disturbance in sensitive habitat while supporting long-term conservation of fish and shellfish resources. The presence of illegal traps supports the stated regulatory violation but does not, by itself, quantify ecological damage from this specific incident.
Information for local harvesters
Recreational fishers should verify current closure maps, seasons and licence conditions before setting gear. DFO asks anyone with information about suspected fisheries violations to use its official reporting channels. The Queen Charlotte Channel closure is a specific protected area and should not be conflated with a blanket closure of all Howe Sound recreational fishing. This story is a distinct local November 2 enforcement announcement, separate from CDN News's broader COP17 biodiversity coverage.
Sources & transparency
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, November 2: Howe Sound reef area convictionsOriginal CDN News coverage. Sources are linked for reference.
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