Unlawfully harvesting seafood can lead to serious consequences, which is what Scott Steer learned the hard way. Steer has been sentenced to six years in jail and fined more than $1 million for the unlawful harvest of sea cucumbers. Steer and his wife are jointly liable for the fine.
Steer was convicted earlier this year of multiple offences under the Fisheries Act committed between July 2019 and June 2020.
According to DFO:
Mr. Steer has an extensive history of fisheries violations that have resulted in numerous convictions, prohibitions, fines, and jail sentences. He had previously been prohibited by the Courts in 2016 from possessing or acquiring fishing gear, being onboard any fishing vessel, or applying for a fishing license until 2038. Despite these prohibitions, he actively orchestrated an illegal fishing operation, acquiring and outfitting vessels, recruiting crew, forging DFO records, and selling unlawfully harvested sea cucumbers.
The court found that Mr. Steer’s illegal activities resulted in the sale of over 87,000 pounds of sea cucumbers, generating more than $1 million in revenue through fraudulent transactions with a Vancouver-based processing company. Justice Crerar determined that 1215419 B.C. Ltd. was a sham corporation used to circumvent Mr. Steer’s prohibitions and court orders, and that Mrs. Steer was fully involved in the scheme.
The court case was based on evidence uncovered after Mr. Steer’s arrest on March 2, 2020, for illegal crab harvesting in Vancouver Harbour. This five-year DFO investigation exposed the use of fraudulent records and undercover financial transactions to facilitate illegal seafood sales. The investigation involved a significant number of fishery officers, intelligence analysts and other DFO staff, and as numerous civilian witnesses. It also spanned over several countries: China, USA and Canada.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada reminds the public that illegal fishing threatens the sustainability of Canada’s fisheries and urges anyone with information on potential violations to report them to DFO’s toll-free violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336 or by email at DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.