Four men from Picton are facing fines from the Ministry of Natural Resources after they were caught illegally buying and selling fish.
The court heard that on April 9, 2017, conservation officers received information that George Chapman was cleaning a large number of walleye at his home.
Officers conducted an inspection at the Chapman home and determined that the walleye had been unlawfully purchased. Further investigation revealed that Frank Powers and Harold Soules had unlawfully harvested the walleye that morning using commercial fishing gear and sold the walleye to Chapman at his home.
The sale of the fish was brokered by Terrance Cooper.
Justice of the Peace Ernest Parsons heard individual pleas from Cooper, Chapman and Powers in the Ontario Court of Justice in Picton between November 3, 2017 and April 27, 2018.
Justice of the Peace Christopher Peltzer heard the trial proceedings for Soules in the Ontario Court of Justice in Picton on October 26, 2018.
Cooper pleaded guilty to two offences of unlawfully selling walleye. He was fined $600 and received a two-year probation order.
Powers pleaded guilty to unlawfully selling walleye and failing to comply with the conditions of his commercial fishing licence. He was fined $3,500.
Chapman pleaded guilty to unlawfully purchasing walleye and was fined $750.
Harold Soules was found guilty at trial of unlawfully selling walleye and was placed on a two year probation.
