Overview
- The enforcement effort concluded with a July 7, 2026 conviction in Courtenay that completed prosecutions of four people and brought combined fines to $18,000.
- Xiaohua (Jessica) Liu was fined $4,500 after being convicted of making a false or misleading statement and unlawful possession of oysters.
- Three other defendants were sentenced earlier: Ya Chung Lao was fined $7,000 and banned from fishing for one year for obstruction and unlawful possession, Yilai Zhu was fined $3,500 for fishing without a licence and unlawful possession, and Chun Shui Tu was fined $3,000 for similar offences.
- The case began after DFO officers seized illegally harvested clams and oysters near Deep Bay in 2023 and involved arrests, court appearances, and issued warrants when some accused failed to appear.
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada urges recreational and commercial harvesters to follow licensing, catch limits, species rules and area closures and to report suspected violations to the Pacific Region line at 1-800-465-4336 or by email.