Two York Region men have reeled in thousands of dollars in fines after pleading guilty to fishing violations in Northern Ontario.
On Nov. 22, 2007, Sergiy Pak, 44, of Richmond Hill and Roman Weig, 53, of Thornhill were checked by a Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officer while transporting two large sturgeon caught in Blind River, a Sudbury court heard Tuesday.
Mr. Weig did not have a valid fishing licence and, during a search of his vehicle, a cooler with about 18 pounds of fresh sturgeon eggs — which Mr. Pak admitted purchasing — was found, court heard.
Sturgeon eggs are often used to make caviar.
Mr. Pak pleaded guilty to unlawfully buying and transporting sturgeon eggs and was fined $15,000.
Mr. Weig pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence and unlawfully transporting sturgeon eggs and was fined $5,000.
Both men have also been banned from possessing a fishing licence for one year, were placed on probation and must not commit similar violations for two years.
If you have information about a natural resources violation, call the ministry at 1-877-TIPS-MNR or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.