Conservation officers charge poachers in Southern Labrador

Conservation officers with the province�s Inland Fisheries Enforcement Program of the Department of Natural Resources, in conjunction with Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) river guardians, have apprehended three individuals from the Avalon Peninsula for various fishing violations in Southern Labrador.

"We continue to have a high degree of success in identifying poaching activity that is occurring in this province," said Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources. "Those who participate in poaching and other illegal activity should have the message loud and clear that the provincial government has a zero tolerance for those who continue to abuse the Atlantic salmon and our other fish stocks."

The alleged offences took place on Black Bear River near the community of Black Tickle. The officers responded to a complaint and had flown in helicopter to the remote location where they witnessed the individuals involved in the alleged illegal activity. Several charges are pending against the three male individuals, including illegal netting, illegal possession of salmon, char, codfish and a sea otter. Also seized during the investigation were a firearm, jiggers, a 20-foot boat and a 75-hp outboard motor.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Southern Labrador, conservation officers and a M�tis river guardian seized a net, salmon, boat and motor at Peter�s Brook near the community of Charlottetown. Charges are pending against a male resident from Charlottetown and include netting inland waters, illegal possession of salmon and obstruction of conservation officers.

The investigation into both incidents is still ongoing and court dates have not yet been set.

"We established the Inland Fisheries Enforcement Program in response to our concern that the federal government was not living up to its responsibility to protect the resources of the province�s inland waters," said Minister Byrne. "The level of poaching activity that has been detected in recent weeks is certainly evidence that DFO has to put more resources behind its enforcement and conservation efforts in this province."

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-5282

2004 08 24                                       12:00 p.m.