A St. Thomas man has been fined $95,000 for illegally importing and selling invasive snakehead fish in Southern Ontario.
Adam Manzato pleaded guilty to importing, possessing, transporting and offering to sell Chinese and dwarf snakehead fish. The Ontario Court of Justice heard the case.
In November 2024, a conservation officer received a public tip that Freshwater Genetics Inc., an aquatic pet store in Aylmer, was selling snakehead fish. Investigators found the store had closed and the fish were moved to Manzato’s home in St. Thomas. He also listed the fish for sale online.
Officers seized five live snakehead fish from his residence and two more from another St. Thomas address.
Residents can report natural resource violations by calling 1-877-847-7667 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Written by Jeremy Hall
