A North Bay man has been fined $2,000 for violations under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.

Alec Buscemi pleaded guilty and was fined $1,500 for fishing for bass during the closed season and $500 for fishing without having a licence in his possession.

Court heard that on May 25, 2014, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry conservation officers inspected Buscemi while he was angling on the upper French River. Officers established that Buscemi was targeting bass during the closed season. When asked to identify himself and produce his fishing licence, Buscemi refused. Officers later identified Buscemi and determined he was a fishing guide and that he had left his valid fishing licence at the fishing lodge.

Justice of the Peace Michel Moreau heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Sturgeon Falls, on January 19, 2015.  

For more information on fishing regulations, please consult the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary available at ontario.ca/fishing.

To report a natural resources violation, call the MNRF TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667 toll-free any time or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).