The Crown prosecuted two defendants for possession of live invasive fish contrary to the Fisheries Act and Ontario Fishery Regulations.
On January 25, 2012, and February 28, 2012, tractor-trailers carrying fish shipments from Northeast Arkansas Fish Farms were referred for secondary inspection at the Ambassador Bridge.
Ministry of Natural Resources officers determined that the shipments contained live grass carp and bighead carp, respectively, which are classified as invasive species.
The defendants had no licence to possess live invasive fish.
The driver, Yong-Sheng Zhang, was present during inspections where live fish were observed in water samples.
The corporate defendant, Alltheway Trucking Inc., was responsible for transporting the shipments.
The court found both defendants guilty on both counts, rejecting defences of due diligence and honest mistaken belief.
