Fines for illegal hunting and fishing in British Columbia are more than doubling as the province cracks down on offences against wildlife.
The Ministry of Forests says the new scale of fines effective Tuesday under the Wildlife Act ranges from $345 to $1,495, up from the current range of $115 to $575.
The biggest fines apply to people who hunt or possess big game out of season.
The ministry says in a news release the new penalties “better reflect the serious nature” of wildlife offences and acknowledge the importance of wildlife to B.C.
“This change to the violation ticket fine structure is supported by stakeholders throughout the natural-resource sector,” the Forests Ministry said in a statement.
“[This includes] hunters, anglers, conservationists, guide outfitters, trappers and others, as well as many First Nations partners that welcome harsher penalties for people who demonstrate a lack of respect for fish, wildlife and their habitats.”
Other offences subject to the fines include unlawful trapping, hunting or angling without a licence, operating a motor vehicle in prohibited areas, damaging habitat and illegal trafficking of wildlife.
The province says more than 1,000 tickets for Wildlife Act offences were issued in 2023, leading to more than $200,000 in fines.
The B.C. Wildlife Federation says in a separate news release that the new penalties are “more in line” with the harm caused by poachers.
Jesse Zeman, executive director of the federation, says in the release that the organization “applauds tougher penalties and would like to see all fees from these fines dedicated to fish and wildlife management.”
“Increases to Wildlife Act fines reflect our values and will help deter poachers,” Zeman said in the statement.