Two fishers fined $8,750 for illegal rockfish fishing in Port Hardy

Two individuals, Xiao Dong Liu and Yongjie Li, have been fined a combined $8,750 by a Port Hardy Provincial Court following convictions for illegal fishing near Hardy Bay. The fines, issued on July 29, 2026, stem from an incident in March 2025 after a public tip led fishery officers to the pair near a shoreline and marina.

Liu was fined $4,500 for exceeding the daily fish quota and fishing during a closed period. Li received a $4,250 fine for the same offences, plus a conviction for failing to produce a fishing licence. The seized catch included various species, such as Quillback, Yellowtail, Canary, and Greenstriped rockfish, as well as Greenling, Lingcod, and Rock Sole.

At the time of the offence, the area was under a seasonal closure for the retention of rockfish and lingcod to protect vulnerable populations. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) noted that many of the 35 rockfish species along the British Columbia coast are in decline due to slow growth and reproduction rates. The agency emphasized that seasonal closures are critical conservation tools to ensure sustainable fisheries.