March 25 - Too many oysters will cost you

Good morning !

Today we have an update on the sentencing of the former Big Feet masseur found guilty of sexual assault and a tale of too many Island oysters getting one Ontario man in trouble.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ⛅️ 14 / 9

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 13 / 8

Thursday: 🌧️ 10 / 7

7-day forecast

NEWS

Former Victoria masseur gets 2 years for sexually assaulting clients

Ajesh “Sam” Jacob was found guilty in December of five of the nine sexual-assault charges he faced. Between 2019 and 2022, multiple women accused Jacob of groping or exposing them while they received massages at Big Feet on Fort. 

This week, he was sentenced to two years less a day jail time, three years probation afterward, and compliance with the Sex Offender Act for 20 years. He also has to pay his victims restitution within nine months of his release from custody. 

The presiding judge considered allowing him to serve his sentence in the community but decided jail time was appropriate for his high moral culpability.

“In my view, this sentence sends a strong message to Mr. Jacob and other like-minded individuals that sexual assault will not be condoned,” she said.

Allegations appeared during sexual assault reckoning 

The claims against Jacob first appeared on Instagram, alleging that a worker at the downtown massage and reflexology business, Big Feet, had sexually touched clients. These posts came in early 2021, when multiple allegations of sexual assault were being made throughout Victoria industries, including bars, restaurants, and real estate. 

The former manager of Big Feet on Fort says she asked Jacob to resign when learning of the accusations.

The Lower Mainland chain Big Feet Health no longer has a Victoria clinic, with Happy Feet Reflexology now in the Fort location.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Boil water advisory placed for Wilderness Mountain water service area in East Sooke. [CRD]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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NEWS

Ah shucks: Vacationer fined $5.5K for overdoing it on his oyster catch

A shoreline incident last summer should be taken as a cautious reminder for Island fishers, or anyone looking to bag a few oysters for date night. 

It made a Greater Toronto man’s Island vacation significantly more expensive, when he harvested 25 times as many oysters than the daily limit.  

On Feb. 21, Raul Dumelod of Scarborough was found guilty of catching and keeping more oysters than allowed for one day, and for fishing without a valid licence, Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) said in a release.

“It is everyone’s responsibility to know the rules before they go out on the water, and to play their part in ensuring that BC’s fish species and their habitats are protected and sustained.”

DFO officers patrolled near Buckley Bay—just south of Courtenay—in an unmarked car when they spotted Dumelod with a big bucket just off shoreline at low tide. They walked up to see if he was harvesting shellfish from the beach and whether he had a licence.

He was. And he didn’t.

“The area where Mr. Dumelod was harvesting was clearly marked as a commercial oyster lease with no harvesting permitted,” the DFO said. 

Searching the man’s car turned up two large buckets filled with oysters. In total, Dumelod had 312 oysters. The daily limit is 12. 

Here’s where another reminder emerges: nearby signage also indicated recreational harvesting was permitted only one-third of a kilometre away. 

“It is especially important for tourists to make sure they are fully informed of the rules on where and what they can fish and, in the case of shellfish, where harvesting poses a risk to human health,” the DFO said.

The DFO seized the man’s catch which it “reseeded on the appropriate beach near the water’s edge.”

It said the fine underscores the seriousness of violating fishing rules and regulations under Canada’s Fisheries Act, which it said is intended to protect and preserve at-risk fish and shellfish populations.

The DFO reminds shellfish seekers of regulations to follow when harvesting—including acquiring a tidal waters sports fishing licence—and that it is both illegal and unsafe to eat bivalve shellfish harvested from a closed area. There also is certain gear you are allowed to use.  

More than 400 species of bivalves (shellfish with two shell halves, attached at a hinge) are found along the BC coast—but only a few species are permitted to be harvested.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🏛️ Early Victoria: See the Parliament Buildings being built in 1893. [Facebook photos]

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📚 February top reads: See last month’s most popular ebooks at Greater Victoria Public Libraries. 

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🗞️ In Other News

US ferry company apologizes for Canadian flag issue 
When the MV Coho arrived at Victoria's Inner Harbour on Sun., the Canadian flag was mistakenly flying upside down—a common political protest and against federal rules for the flag’s use. The Black Ball Ferry Line said crews immediately righted the flag once they became aware. 

High avalanche warning for the Island
Fresh powder arrived on Island ski hills over the weekend, and with it came a Level 4 avalanche warning for an area spanning from Cowichan Valley to Port McNeil. The mixture of heavy snowfall followed by rain could lead to potentially destructive slides. Avalanche Canada urges people to avoid the alert area as conditions remain high throughout today. [CHEK]

HMCS Ottawa sails back into Esquimalt after 5-month deployment
The frigate with approximately 240 crewmembers embarked for the Indo-Pacific region in Oct. and took part in Operation HORIZON, which involved multinational maneuvers with several countries including Japan, the UK, and the Philippines. During Operation NEON, the Ottawa’s crew reported five vessels suspected of engaging in activity contrary to United Nations Security Council- (UNSC) imposed sanctions against North Korea. During the voyage, Cmdr. Adriano Lozer was removed from his role due to “a loss of confidence” during the operation. [DND]

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🗓️ Things to do

🎭 Imagination Station: A magical day of storytelling, games, dress-up, and more for families, presented by Kaleidoscope Theatre at Tillicum Centre today. 12-3pm. [Info]

🧼 Melt & Pour Soap-Making for Kids & Youth: Bring your kids aged 7-13 to create their own soaps in various shapes, scents, and colours at the Westshore Town Centre today. 1pm & 3pm. [Info]​

🎂 Cake Decoration Workshop: Join this fun and creative evening learning new techniques with fellow cake enthusiasts at Flourish BeauTea in Langford tonight. 6:15pm. [Info]

📚 Spring Fling Book Fair: Meet 35+ local independent writers selling their books at Fernwood Community Centre and find your next read. Sat. 10am. [Info]​

🏒 Century Celebration of Victoria Cougars Hockey: Join the Victoria Hockey Legacy Society for a community festival marking the 100th anniversary of the Victoria Cougars' 1925 Stanley Cup win at Oak Bay Rec Centre. Sat.-Sun. 10am. [Info]

🦸 Island FanCon: Join 5K+ fans at this pop-culture convention, with celebrity panels, meet and greets, workshops, and live music. City Centre Park in Langford. Fri.-Sun. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Monday’s headlines: Federal election underway; Island may play a vital national role; Saanichton gold medalist returns to World Hockey Championship. [Mar. 24] 

Series of delays at BC Ferries after 6 people get sick in a stairwell. [Times Colonist]

Hullo of a rescue: Ferry makes a detour to rescue 4 from the ocean. [CTV]

Elizabeth May reduces her role with the Greens. [CBC]

Naloxone kits at transit stops could help save lives: study. [Winnipeg Free Press / CP]

Sea lions nuzzling while swimming. [VanIsleWildlife]

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