# Illegal fishing enforcement in British Columbia

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/illegal-fishing-enforcement-in-british-columbia
> Updated: 2026-08-12T23:59:53.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 2.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has secured convictions against several individuals for illegal fishing activities in British Columbia.

In one instance, four people were fined a combined $18,000 following an investigation into illegal shellfish harvesting in Deep Bay. The offenders faced charges related to the Fisheries Act and provincial regulations for offences including unlawful possession and providing false information.

Separately, a fishing guide near Nanaimo and Gabriola Island was fined $8,000 after pleading guilty to possessing illegally caught fish and producing false records. During a vessel inspection, officials discovered rockfish exceeding daily limits and identified discrepancies in catch records.

## Claims

- Ruzheng Ma was acting as a fishing guide and deckhand on a 40-foot vessel with 17 people on board on July 3, 2025. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Officials found one ling cod and 20 rockfish in buckets during a boarding of the vessel. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Ruzheng Ma pleaded guilty to producing false records and possessing illegally caught fish. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- A B.C. provincial court judge imposed an $8,000 fine on Ma. (corroborated by 4 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-12: Fishing guide fined $8,000 in B.C. for illegal fish records

A fishing guide in British Columbia has been fined $8,000 after pleading guilty to producing false records and possessing illegally caught fish near Nanaimo.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fishing-guide-fined-8000-in-bc-for-illegal-fish-records

### 2026-08-07: Fisheries Canada Convicts Four Over Illegal Shellfish Harvesting in Deep Bay

DFO convicted four people for illegal shellfish harvesting in Deep Bay, issuing $18,000 in fines and a one‑year fishing ban for one offender.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fisheries-canada-convicts-four-over-illegal-shellfish-harvesting-in-deep-bay

---
Cite as: Illegal fishing enforcement in British Columbia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/illegal-fishing-enforcement-in-british-columbia