Men fined for fishing outside treaty area

News Release
MNR

Two First Nations men have been fined $2,875, in two separate cases, after pleading guilty to fishing outside their treaty area. Oscar Boyer, 62, of Thunder Bay, has been fined $2,550 for possessing 17 walleye more than the legal limit and $200 for illegally transporting an over limit of fish. Travis Boissoneau, 26, of Thunder Bay, has been fined $125 for angling without a valid licence. Both men are members of the Robinson-Huron Treaty area. In the first case, court heard that on August 21, 2005, a Ministry of Natural Resources Nipigon District conservation officer checked Boyer on the Black Sturgeon Road west of Nipigon, in the Robinson- Superior Treaty area, and discovered the over limit of fish. Boyer had a valid fishing licence but felt that as a member of the Robinson-Huron Treaty, his harvesting rights allowed him to fish anywhere in Ontario without a licence or limits. In the second case, a conservation officer checked Boissoneau on May 11, 2005, angling in the Hurkett area west of Nipigon, in the Robinson-Superior Treaty area. Boissoneau felt that as a member of the Robinson-Huron Treaty he could fish anywhere in Ontario without an angling licence. Justice of the Peace John Guthrie heard the cases in the Ontario Court of Justice, Nipigon on August 14, 2006. The ministry reminds the public that it is illegal to fish without a licence and possess more than the daily catch limit. Fishing licences and limits are in place to ensure the sustainability of the fishery so that anglers may enjoy the resource in the future. Call toll-free 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) any time to report a natural resources violation or contact your local MNR office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).