A Sarnia-area family-run commercial fishery caught a $1,500 fine Thursday for failing to complete a daily catch report.
Tim Purdy, 56, president of Purdy Fisheries Ltd., pleaded guilty in Sarnia’s provincial offenses court to a single charge linked to the offense on July 14, 2021 in the Grand Bend area. The court did not hear details of the offense committed by the Point Edward-based generational family business beyond it didn’t accurately complete a daily catch report before offloading its haul that day, as per its commercial fishing licence.
Madhavi Gupta, an articling student with Ontario’s ministry of northern development, mines, natural resources and forestry, asked for the $1,500 fine. Justice of the peace Debra Isaac agreed to impose the suggested penalty, but noted there will be additional administrative costs. She gave the company 30 days to pay.
“Thank you, sir, for resolving your matter,” she said to Purdy.
Two other related charges were withdrawn. This was the first appearance in provincial offenses court on these charges for the company that runs a retail fish market near the village’s casino.
The family-run fishery was convicted of a similar offense in July 2018 and fined $800, according to then-Blackburn News.