Feng Yang was ordered to pay $40,000 for committing the same offence once before, back in 2006.

Asian carp can “survive extended periods of time out of water,” explained Ingham, an investigator with the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources. The fish are transported from the southern U.S. to the GTA, where they are in high demand.

Investigators have stopped two truckloads of live Asian carp on its way to the GTA so far in 2011. Charges are pending, Ingham said.

It has been illegal to possess live bighead, grass, black and silver carp in Ontario since 2005. The legislation is meant to prevent the species from infiltrating the province’s lakes.

Yang’s $50,000 fine is the largest handed out for Asian carp possession in Ontario.

“It’s a matter of hoping this kind of conviction will send a message that it’s not worth the while to try to sneak these fish across the border,” said John Cooper, a spokesperson for the ministry.