R. v. Cameron

R. v. Cameron

Court held that, absent reliable expense evidence, an additional fine under s.79 should reflect the gross value of the illegal catch; applied sentencing principles of proportionality, restraint and totality and imposed fines of CAD 30,000 (closed time) and CAD 10,000 (coordinates) plus a CAD 36,561.35 s.79 fine, ordered one-year VMS installation at defendant's cost, one-year prohibition from fishing groundfish in Division 4S and Subarea 4T2a, and required a sincere letter of apology to the At Sea Observer.

Citation
2025 NSPC 38
Parties
Crown: His Majesty the King; Defendant: Grant Cameron
Court
Nova Scotia Provincial Court
Jurisdiction
Canada
Judgment Date
29 October 2025
Procedural Posture
Regulatory Criminal Prosecution – Fisheries Act Offences / Sentencing After Guilty Plea
Outcome
Guilty pleas accepted; sentence imposed
Legal Topics
Monetary Benefits Under S.79, Interpretation of S.79, Observer Safety and Obstruction, Vessel Monitoring, Prohibition Orders, Fines and Totality
Source Language
English
Fisheries Law Criminal Law Regulatory Offences Sentencing Law Monetary Benefits Under S.79 Interpretation of S.79 Observer Safety and Obstruction Vessel Monitoring +2 more

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Parties

His Majesty the King

Crown

Grant Cameron

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Regulatory Criminal Prosecution – Fisheries Act Offences / Sentencing After Guilty Plea

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether s.79 additional fine should equal gross sales value or net profit
  2. 2 Appropriate quantum of fines under s.78 for fishing during a closed time and failing to provide vessel coordinates
  3. 3 Whether to impose a fishing prohibition and VMS order under s.79.2

Ratio Decidendi

Court held that, absent reliable expense evidence, an additional fine under s.79 should reflect the gross value of the illegal catch; applied sentencing principles of proportionality, restraint and totality and imposed fines of CAD 30,000 (closed time) and CAD 10,000 (coordinates) plus a CAD 36,561.35 s.79 fine, ordered one-year VMS installation at defendant's cost, one-year prohibition from fishing groundfish in Division 4S and Subarea 4T2a, and required a sincere letter of apology to the At Sea Observer.

Court Disposition

Guilty pleas accepted; sentence imposed

Orders

  • Fine of CAD 30000 under s.78 for fishing during a closed time
  • Fine of CAD 10000 under s.78 for failing to provide proper vessel coordinates to the Observer