2nd dump of decaying crabs found near Smithers

Fisheries officershave discovered a large dump ofdead crabs for the second time in a month in northwestern B.C.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) saidofficers from Smithers discovered about 200 Dungenesscrabs discarded beside a road west of town on April 17.

Officials say the crabs were "heavily decayed" and appeared to have been there for several weeks.

On April 2,around 250 Dungenesscrabswere found rotting besidea highway rest stop west of Smithers.

Conservation officer Flint Knibbswas one of the first on the scene.

"They were definitely spoiled and starting to smell extremely bad,like rotting meat," said Knibbs. "There were a few birds there starting to pick away at things."

"It was quite atrocious,"said DFOfield supervisorCarey Maus.

Illegal seafood sales

The DFObelieves both cases arelinked to illegal seafood sales on B.C.'s North Coast.

Officials say they've had more than a dozen tips from the public that may help them crack the case.

The crab dumps violate the Fisheries Act, which prohibits the waste of seafood for human consumption.