A joint operation between BC Highway Patrol and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has sent a warning, and financial consequences, to drivers and anglers near Terrace.
“In this part of northern BC, we know that a lot of people who drive the highways are also fishing, so it makes sense to work together,” says Sergeant Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. “BC Highway Patrol concentrates on vehicle defects and driver safety, while DFO makes sure that anglers were operating sustainably and safely.”
On September 7, 2026, BC Highway Patrol and the DFO set up a check stop on Highway #16W east of Terrace, and BC Highway Patrol officers issued the following:
- 10 tickets for driving offences including seat belts, no insurance, tinted windows, and no pre-trip inspections,
- 11 Notice and Orders requiring inspection and repair of vehicle defects (at the owner’s expense) including defective exhausts, mud guards, windshields, tires, rusted frames, vehicle lights, tinted windows, and tires too wide for the fender flares.
- 11 violation tickets for vehicle defects,
- Over 100 warnings for driving with a view obstructed by things like animal mascots, papers, or StarLink terminals, cracked or tinted windshields, or pets that were insecure in vehicles.
Meanwhile, DFO officers issued the following:
- 55 boat and vehicle inspections,
- 8 violation tickets and 12 written warnings,
- 4 illegal fish seized.
“In recent years we’ve conducted multiple joint check stops with BC Highway Patrol in Terrace, all of which have been successful,” says Fishery Officer Jordan Wilson with the DFO. “We’re all frontline law enforcement, regardless of the colour of our uniforms. It’s important that our agencies work together everywhere- including in smaller northern communities. Our Terrace Fishery Officers look forward to doing more work with BC Highway Patrol to keep our communities and natural resources safe.”
