FFAW inshore vice-president says privacy violated by DFO cellphone seizure

A fisherman and FFAW union representative is accusing the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada of overreach following officers seizing his cellphone as part of an investigation.

Jason Sullivan, who is also the FFAW inshore vice-president, says he's being investigated over an alleged fishing violation over claims that he let someone else haul his gear for him.

As part of the investigation he says his cellphone was confiscated and he's worried about sensitive union information on his phone as well as info on his personal life.

"It's a pretty big violation of privacy in my opinion," he told CBC Radio's The Broadcast.

"A lot of fishermen reach out to me about different issues they're having with the DFO," he said. "There's a lot of sensitive information even pertaining to the union on my phone."

He says DFO officers also searched his boat and took navigation aids, which he says he doesn't have a problem with, but he draws the line at his cellphone. He alleges he was threatened with being thrown against a car and handcuffed if he refused to hand over his cellular device.

"If they can just come up with these wild accusations, get a warrant. You wouldn't know but we're smuggling cocaine or something."

Sullivan denies the allegation, saying he did not permit someone else to haul his gear. He also calls it an insignificant accusation and it would only result in a fine of a few thousand dollars.

Next steps

Sullivan says union leadership is behind him and will take action.

"If we have to sue DFO, if we have to sue the fisheries officers that are involved in this and that are pushing this kind of behaviour, we're gonna have to do it," he said.

He says his cellphone isn't a tool he uses for fishing and isn't sure why it was taken or when it might be returned.

Sullivan also says DFO wouldn't clarify to him why they were taking his cellphone and he says he offered to give them his e-log account, or electronic logging device that allows fishermen to upload catch information.

DFO declined to provide further details on the investigation.

"As this is an ongoing investigation, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is not able to comment," it said in an email to CBC News.

Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson's spokesperson Andrew Richardson says Thompson became aware of the situation after she was sent media requests.

"Law enforcement activity takes place at arm's length from the minister and her office. As this is a law enforcement matter, we have no further comment," he wrote to CBC News.

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