Simcoe, Ontario - As a result of an investigation by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), a Long Point area landowner was convicted and subsequently sentenced in the Ontario Court of Justice for a violation of the Species at Risk Act. The sentence imposed was a fine totaling $13,000 that will be directed to the Environmental Damages Fund and used for fish and fish habitat enhancement.
The work on the land occurred in April of 2024 and involved using heavy equipment that destroyed approximately 500 square meters of critical habitat. The area impacted is the critical habitat for at least four different listed species at risk, including Eastern Sand Darter, Lake Chubsucker, Pugnose Shiner and Spotted Gar. The landowner failed to notify or seek approval for the activity he was undertaking. Destruction of any part of critical habitat is a violation of subsection 58(1) of the Species at Risk Act.
Before working in or near water, DFO's information on projects near water
