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Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP)

Last updated on May 31, 2024

The RAPP program is a toll-free tip line and online reporting service that's:

  • Available 24/7
  • Simple, safe and effective

On this page

To report a wildlife-human interaction where public safety may be at risk, call the toll-free tip line. Know about or suspect a fisheries, wildlife, or environmental protection laws violation? Report it online.

Violations to report

Environmental violations to report include:

  • Illegal waste disposal, such as household or business waste and waste dumped on Crown Land
  • Unlawful open burning, such as burning prohibited materials or burning when or where prohibited
  • Discharge of chemicals or sewage to lakes or rivers
  • Damage to fish or wildlife habitat
  • Exceeding the daily bag or catch limit
  • Use of illegal hunting or fishing gear
  • Fishing or hunting out of season or in closed areas
  • Unauthorized collection or sale of fish and wildlife or their parts

Remember, never confront or attempt to apprehend a suspect.

What to record

Document your observations (take notes) as soon as possible.

If you can, include:

  • A description of suspect(s), including number of people, name, sex, race, age, height/weight, eye colour, hair, hair colour and style, facial hair, physical attributes such as tattoos or scars, clothing, accent and mannerisms.
  • Details of the violation, including date, time, location, type of violation, suspects actions and comments, type of hunting or fishing gear and other equipment used
  • The transport involved, including vehicle or vessel number, province or state, make, model, year, colour and distinctive features such as damage, stripes or customizing
  • Witness information, including names, addresses and phone numbers

How to report

Call the RAPP hotline (toll-free in B.C.): 1-877-952-7277 (1-877-952-RAPP)

RAPP logo

Non-emergencies

If the situation is not an emergency:

Fisheries violations related to salmon

Contact:

Known or suspected violations

For known or suspected violations of fisheries, wildlife, or environmental protection laws, except salmon-related violations:​

Your report can make a difference

Accurate and timely reporting helps emergency call centre staff quickly relay your information to the nearest available Conservation Officer.

This, in turn, helps:

  • Reduce conservation officer response time
  • Increase the likelihood of apprehension and successful prosecution
  • Minimize any damage caused by poachers and polluters
  • Prevent violations before they occur

The watchful eyes of responsible and informed resource users are a powerful deterrent to potential violators.

Penalties

As one example of the types of penalties violators are subject to, provisions in the Wildlife Act allow for a poachers hunting licence to be cancelled for up to 30 years, following conviction.

A poacher may also be subject to a fine and/or imprisonment, which could be:

  • Up to $25,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment for the majority of offences under the Wildlife Act
  • Up to $50,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment for offences that could harm the wildlife resource or that reflect serious unethical practices related to illegal hunting or trapping
  • $1,000 to $100,000 and/or 1 year imprisonment for offences related to the illegal trade in live wildlife or killing endangered species

Rewards

The BC Wildlife Federation pays rewards up to $2,000 for information leading to the conviction of persons who have:

  • Violated laws related to the protection of fish, wildlife, or the environment
  • Damaged the property of companies or individuals who provide access to hunters and anglers
Human-wildlife conflict

Human-wildlife conflict is a serious issue in British Columbia. Each year, too many bears and other wildlife are killed because of human decisions and behaviour.

Contact information

For violations related to salmon, contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada: 1-800-465-4336.

If you witness any other violation, contact us.

Office
1-877-952-7277