Crab being measured. This was presented as evidence in Court. (Source: Food In Canada)
Following a routine inspection of commercial seafood processing plants conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) fishery officers in January 2023, Tenshi Seafood faced a $40,000 fine. The fine, handed down on December 6, 2023, by the Richmond Provincial Court, was the result of Tenshi Seafood pleading guilty to possessing undersized crabs, a violation of Canada’s Fisheries Act.
This marks the second notable penalty for Tenshi Seafood, which previously incurred a $75,000 fine in January 2020 for obstruction and was instructed to adhere to various conditions.
The harvesting of undersized crab poses a significant threat to the preservation of Dungeness crab stocks, which serve as a traditional food source for Indigenous communities and are integral to the livelihoods of commercial crab harvesters. Dungeness crab also contributes significantly to the economic well-being of coastal communities, particularly within the recreational fishery industry and tourism sector.
Size restrictions serve as the primary conservation method in all crab fisheries. In British Columbia, male Dungeness crab must measure at least 165 mm across the widest part of the carapace, while females are not permitted for retention. Safeguarding females and a substantial portion of mature males within Dungeness crab populations ensures the sustainability of harvestable stocks.
