Violation ticket fines increasing to strengthen wildlife protection
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The crosshairs are now on those perpetrators who commit offences that harm wildlife and fish, including illegal hunting and angling.
Higher fines await those who are issued violation ticket fines — under the Wildlife Act — designed to discourage unlawful activities that harm fish and wildlife.
“The new fine amounts better reflect the serious nature of these offences and recognize the importance of wildlife to everyone living in British Columbia,” noted a Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy press release.
The fine increase has been a long time coming. Fines under the Wildlife Act and its regulations have not been updated significantly in more than two decades.
For the West Kootenay, the new fines for violation tickets range from $345 to $1,495, a significant increase from the current range of $115 to $575. Approximately 200 violation ticket fines are increased.
The highest new fine amount, $1,495, will apply to people hunting wildlife defined as big game during a closed hunting season, the unlawful possession of big game or the unlawful possession of threatened or endangered species, as well as other serious offences under the Wildlife Act and its regulations.
“Violations of the Wildlife Act can have negative impacts on fish and wildlife and the habitats they rely on to survive and thrive,” the ministry stated.
Other offences include: unlawful trapping, hunting and angling; hunting without a licence; operating a motor vehicle in an area where motor vehicles are prohibited; damage to wildlife habitat; and illegal trafficking of wildlife.
