Prince Rupert man fined $7,500 for possessing endangered Northern Abalone

Protecting species at risk requires strong partnerships, timely reporting, and effective enforcement on the ground. Collaboration between Indigenous Fishery Guardians and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) plays a vital role, especially in remote areas, in safeguarding vulnerable marine species and ensuring the long-term health of Canada's aquatic ecosystems.

Prince Rupert, British Columbia - Protecting species at risk requires strong partnerships, timely reporting, and effective enforcement on the ground. Collaboration between Indigenous Fishery Guardians and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) plays a vital role, especially in remote areas, in safeguarding vulnerable marine species and ensuring the long-term health of Canada's aquatic ecosystems.

On August 5, 2026, in Prince Rupert Provincial Court, Caylin James Holland was convicted and fined $7,500 for illegally possessing Northern Abalone, an endangered species protected under Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA).

The conviction stems from an alert from the Metlakatla Fishery Guardians to DFO on September 8, 2025. The Guardians, who routinely work closely on enforcement issues with Conservation and Protection fishery officers, suspected that harvesters fishing in waters around Metlakatla, 5 kilometers north of Prince Rupert, BC, may have caught northern abalone.

Due to the timely information from the Metlakatla Guardians, fishery officers were able to locate Mr. Holland. He was found in possession of 10 Northern Abalone. The abalone were seized and later returned alive to suitable habitat to maximize their chance of survival.

Northern Abalone is listed as an endangered species in Canada under SARA. Once abundant along the coast of British Columbia, populations declined significantly due to overharvesting, resulting in a complete closure of the fishery in 1990. Illegal harvesting and possession continue to pose one of the greatest threats to the species' recovery.