Surrey, B.C. - Recent investigations by fishery officers with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) into the Boundary Bay commercial crab fleet have resulted in several convictions in Surrey Provincial Court. Four vessel masters received fines and forfeitures totalling over $287,000. One captain also received a first-ever fishing prohibition.
On August 4, 2023, Han Van Lam, master of the vessel John Lam, pleaded guilty to illegally fishing in United States (US) waters off Boundary Bay during the 2019 and 2020 commercial seasons. Under the Fisheries Act, it is illegal for anyone on a vessel subject to Canadian jurisdiction to fish outside of Canadian fisheries waters. Mr. Lam, who has previous violations, was fined $50,000, forfeited 96 traps that had been seized as evidence, and was prohibited from fishing for the first 14 days of the annual commercial season openings in 2024 and 2025. This is the first time that this prohibition has been imposed by the Courts.
On the same day, August 4, 2023, Michael Hau, master of the Muoi H, pleaded guilty to failing to scan his traps during the 2018, 2019 and 2020 crab fishing seasons, as per the conditions of his licence. He was fined $20,000 and forfeited a further $19,030.68 from the value of his catch.
On June 27, 2023, Hoan Trung Do, master of the Bounty Hunter, pleaded guilty to fishing in US waters and setting more traps than allowed under the conditions of his licence in 2018, 2019 and 2020. He was fined $160,000.
On June 23, 2023, Viet Dam, master of the Pacific Falcon, pleaded guilty to illegally fishing in US waters and fishing more traps than are allowed under his conditions of licence in 2019. Mr Dam was fined $38,000 and forfeited 83 traps.
