Illegal shellfish harvesting in Nanoose Bay nets pair over $10K in fines

Published 9:50 am Thursday, February 26, 2026

Two people were fined more than $10,000 in B.C. Provincial Court in Nanaimo for illegally harvesting shellfish in the Nanoose area two years ago.

In a press release, Fisheries and Oceans Canada said Chao Jan Yu had $6,500 in fines levied against him. He must pay $2,500 for preventing an enforcement official from conducting their duties, $2,000 for exceeding the 75 clam daily limit and $2,000 for collecting a prohibited species. Li Hua Chen was fined a total of $4,000. She is subject to $2,000 for illegal harvesting and $2,000 for being found with illegally caught fish.

Officials observed the two in the Nanoose Bay Recreational Shellfish Reserve during a patrol in June 2024, stated the press release. They were “collecting shellfish in the intertidal zone, an area closed to shellfish harvesting due to possible contamination” and as they were leaving the beach area, fishery officers intercepted them at a railway track area, where “Yu attempted to evade the officers and discarded two buckets of clams,” according to the press release.

Yu and Chan will also be subject to a two-year ban from harvesting any fish species.

Shellfish harvesting restrictions are instituted to “protect public health and ensure [sustainability],” Fisheries and Oceans Canada said, and interferring with enforcement officials can carry with it significant fines.

The ruling came down on Jan. 22.