Destruction of critical habitat for threatened Spotted Gar nets a $7,000 fine
News release
Chatham-Kent, Ontario — Following an investigation by fishery officers, two homeowners pleaded guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice to destroying critical habitat of a threatened species of fish in Rondeau Bay, a violation of the Species at Risk Act. On November 22, 2018, Justice of the Peace David Auger ordered Karen Healey and Mackenzie DeBoer of Shrewsbury, Ontario, to each pay a fine of $3,500. Of the total $7,000 fine, $6,000 will be directed to the Environmental Damages Fund where it can be allocated specifically for recovery activities to benefit the Spotted Gar.
In April 2018, Healey and DeBoer dredged shoreline adjacent to their properties, unknowingly destroying critical habitat for the Spotted Gar. This species of fish was listed as Threatened under the Species at Risk Act in 2003 and its critical habitat is now legally protected from destruction.
Prior to undertaking any work on the water, proponents should review Fisheries and Oceans Canada's guidelines on projects near water and aquatic species at risk maps
