Need Help Reporting a Crime

[MyButt]

Hello everyone.

I understand this is not the posting area for topics like this, but more people visit this part of the site.

Okay I have contacted OPP, and Native Police and MNR and so far nothing, who would I need to speak to directly. To report illegal selling of walleye (fish). This group of people delivers to local business and homes and the government intended for the fish to be caught to be kept on the reserve and NOT to be sold, as this is to feed their families. I know of groups in the past being charged for the same thing, but so far everyone I have spoken too has done nothing. I do not believe in pouching, nor do I believe selling off what we all enjoy without having the proper licenses.

[almontefisher]

This happens all the time up in Algonquin park...try MNR in Kemptville I think that is the head office...This is a tough subject to have something done with though...Alot of people do not want to open that can of worms.

[MyButt]

Well this is a can of worms I intend to open, and do what ever necessary.

Thanks for the info, I'll call em now.

Just to ad, I contacted the http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/mnr/tips so lets see if they do something?

[taylor]

How much is he selling them for? If I don't fill my bucket with 4 pounders down at the docks at petrie, I may have to buy some.

[Kpin]

Taylor... tsk, tsk. You get my first official vote to suffer the punishment of the Monty Python fish slapping dance.

MNR would be the way to go I'd think Mike, esp. if you have info on location/times/etc.

[g unis]

a very controversial subject. im willing to say nothing will happen.

[Crusty]

Don't know if you guy's saw the ontario out of doors on this topic....
was 1 or two years ago
shows both sides of the story....
not to say I condone it at all!
The artical is about the spring spearfishing in belleville
all the indians(natives p.c.) spearing with flashlights during the spawn....
they must laugh at us in our $50,000 boats, with our floater suits freezing our nards off...
There is letting them catch food to survive... and then there is slaughter
for financial gain


crusty


Psst... got a cooler full $20, The guys who buy it are just as guilty

[MyButt]

This can of worms I opened, may have offended some members or visitors, for this I do apologize. It was not a head hunt for one culture, it was never to be intended to look like a head hunt either. Frustration is sometimes hard to control when something you believe in is being affected. Again it's not one culture who effects this issue, many people break laws, it's sometimes just hard to see it happen and nothing gets done.

[Fishboy]

The MNR and the OPP have to be very careful when it comes to the issue of aboriginal fishing rights. The federal government is implicated because Indian & Northern Affairs is a federal jurisdiction. The process of laying charges, going to trrial, and reaching a verdict can take several years due to the levels of government involved and the inevitible constitutional challenges from the aboriginal community.

Rather than confronting the fisherman/sellers directly, you might be best to continue reporting to the authorities. As well, you might try speaking to the restaurants that buy the fish and report them if they continue the practice.

Confronting the fishermen/sellers might result in personal injury or legal action against you. (It's illegal to prevent someone from legally fishing and you would have to prove that the people in question were poaching. As well, they may be armed.....)

Good luck!!

[almontefisher]

And that right there is the "Can of worms" I was talking about Mike...I hope you do get this stopped but it might not be worth it financially for anyone to proceed with it. The restraunts on the other hand are fair game if you ask me...They may not know they are breaking the law...wait they do know because they cannot serve any food that was not inspected by the FDA. Go get em Mike...They may have sold my record Eye in one of those buckets.

[Kpin]

Some good points but..one stood out to me. I'd not confront them personally Mike. They obviously will see it as a direct threat and act accordingly. Most likely, they feel they are within' their rights and anyone telling them what they can and cannot do in regard to nat. resources that isn't native, doesn't have a say.

Call the proper contacts, you'd be doing your good deed by that alone.

[MyButt]

You know it wouldn’t bother me so much if the damn MNR would be there to force people to milk and mix the eggs for starting new stock, and only allow the river to be fished every other year or more, to allow for growth. Heck I would even spend a night out there doing it, and that’s another thing the MNR wont let us. It’s our country our land too we have rights. Maybe not?

As for business’s buying fish I will be looking for the ones that I can find, and if you know of any, pm me their names. I will plan to video/record and be pressing all charges going to court etc. I will also post all their business info in all newspapers, get local MP involved (not military police) What ever it takes to see them to stop.

(Anger may have interfered, making my topic seems like I was on a head hunt, this was not intended to look or sound that way, and I’m just upset on how certain topics are handled and wish more could be done. On page 2 I made a public apology, for allowing my anger my stress to get involved in this topic. I was not out to get one culture and for this I'm Sorry if I have offended you)

(I would also like to add to this apology on my statement about selling booze and smokes I thought at the time it would make sense, although filled with anger, not thinking of who I’m really hurting in the process, it was wrong, one can not blame one for something so many do, and for this I am sorry I even mentioned that inconsiderate comment, and was not fair. I'm Sorry)

[FromTheNorth]

My Butt,

I was really pleased with how this topic was being handled. As mentionned before, this is a sensitive issue. I thought you were upset for the right reasons and taking the right steps to do something about it.

UNTIL I read your last post. Are you really just upset with a few native guys for illegally selling fish, or is there something more? I would definately like to know how we went from discussing the fishing offenses of a few individuals to vague allegations of native people selling smokes and booze to minors.(And that it happens all the time)

I'm definately hoping that what you have recently added to the "rap sheet" are more offenses from the same couple of guys and not Broad accusations about an entire culture of people.

You talk about rights... the last residential school in Canada was only closed in 1997. Until that point, the Gov could take native children from their homes(and families) and force them to move into a Catholic institution(like a horrible boarding school). If you're going to be bitter about your rights vs. theirs, at least you had the right to grow up in your own home with your own parents.

This is no excuse(or explanation) for the acts of these individuals selling fish. BUT... As far as I can tell, they just happen to be native. Anyone can illegally sell fish, and MANY non-natives do.

You should make sure you know WHO you're mad at and WHY.

[Trophymuskie]

Unfortunately there are many crimes nothing can be done about. This is one of them.

And not only on large scale does this happen, individuals can easilly get away with crimes because of staff shortages.

[MyButt]

In regards to your message "FromTheNorth"

I'm not trying to gang up on a culture, everyone should have equal rights, but its unfortunate the not everyone gets these rights in this country.

I'm more upset towards our government and how they handle issues like these, NO people should not be forced into certain schools or homes but everyone should follow all the laws, and in this matter it's very important to all, after all our license fees go towards stocking lakes etc right? Well if our government is going to allow a culture to harvest fish for food, then they should enforce the law for size limits, milking the eggs and not allow illegal sale of fish.

See like I said, if they would milk the eggs for respon, I would gladly help out, as this is one way of ensuring fish for our future. Also if they are going to sell fish, get a friggin license we have too.

Listen we all live here in Canada, Canada has laws, we follow them, if we don’ we go to jail, get fined etc. Hey if your gonna break a law, at least have the nadds to face it. I’m just pee pee that MNR will not do a damn thing, if I wana sell fish I need a license that I HAVE TO PAY FOR. If their gonna sell fish, they should have to do the same.

Did you know you’re not allowed to clean your fish
and leave the remains on shore; you’re to dispose of them properly.

Last year I went to my favorite lake for Bass, I found a pile no lies over 5 feet high minimum 9 feet around, laying in and on the river edge, with no concern, they left these fish remains in peoples drinking water
(People live there drink and use that water in their homes)

And yes if I do find any business buying fish from ANY culture that is not licensed to sell, I will use every last dollar from my pocket to see them in court.

It’s a real shame we don’t always get along, as with ANY culture many experiences are being missed, by sharing and working together.

MyButt