December 9, 1997
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)


The following statement was issued today by Kevin Aylward, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Today I am very pleased to announce that my department has doubled its enforcement presence by cross-training the officers in the field. Our 150 conservation officers located throughout the province are now trained to enforce all forestry, wildlife and inland fisheries legislation. These men and women are dedicated to protect these resources from poachers and abusers.

Conservation and the protection of the forest and wildlife resources of this province is a priority of our government. We have taken on the challenge of developing an ecosystem approach to managing these resources. But these management objectives are meaningless unless they are implemented in the field. Therefore, we are making this strong commitment to compliance and enforcement to ensure that everyone obeys the laws of the land. Poaching will not be tolerated and those who choose to disregard the legislation that has been enacted to protect and conserve our ecosystem will be investigated and held to task for their actions.

Officers who were traditionally responsible for duties only within their specific disciplines of either wildlife and forestry have recently completed the necessary training to perform integrated resource management enforcement.

This fall, 150 officers have completed the three essential phases of training to be able to operate confidently and effectively in the field. First, they have an overview of the integrated approach to enforcement adopted by this government; second, they have completed comprehensive training in the legislation and acts and enforcement procedures appropriate for both the forestry and wildlife areas; and third, they have completed the officer safety training that enables them to handle confrontation situations with violators in a safe and effective manner.

To provide an overview of the scope of these responsibilities, these conservation officers are now able to enforce both wildlife and forestry related statutes and regulations, including: the Wildlife Regulations, Wilderness and Ecological Reserves regulations, All Terrain and Snowmobile regulations, ATV use regulations, the federal Migratory Bird Convention Act, and the Recreational Trout and Salmon regulations under the Fisheries Act, as well as the enforcement concerns contained in the Forestry Act.

While the regional offices are located in Gander, Pasadena and Goose Bay, the district and local officers are scattered geographically across the province. This allows their presence and authority to be felt immediately in the field. The presence at the district level also provides an enhanced level of service to the public as routine matters such as issuing licences, can be done more conveniently at these local offices.

Today, I would also like to announce the official uniform for the new conservation officers. The new crest that is worn by each and every one of the 150 officers is a symbol of our pride in the new duties and responsibilities that our conservation officers are now performing throughout the province. This crest depicts the forest, inland waters and wildlife resources of this province encircled by the authority divested to the conservation officer to protect them from illegal abuse and poaching.

I would like to congratulate the conservation officers for their continued dedication to the spirit of conservation and protection of our forest and wildlife resources. The role of these professionals is critical to ensure the protection of this province' abundant natural resources for future generations.

1997 12 09 2:30 p.m.

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