Inland fisheries enforcement efforts result in several convictions

NLIS 5
October 6, 2004
(Natural Resources)

Inland fisheries enforcement efforts result in several convictions
The implementation of the Inland Fisheries Enforcement Program earlier this year has led to a significant number of convictions recently at provincial courts throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

The convictions result from illegal activity taking place throughout various parts of the island and Labrador related to violations of the Fishery Act and Wildlife Act. Fines for the offences ranged from $200 to $2600 and also included the forfeiture of numerous items to the Crown.

In Provincial Court at Stephenville on September 20, Judge Catherine Allen-Westby convicted six individuals of violations under the Fishery Act as follows:

Ben Hepditch of Point au Mal and Mark Abbott of Aguathuna were fined $1000 each for possession of untagged salmon, possession of Atlantic salmon and jigging Atlantic salmon. In addition, several items involved used in the carrying out of the offences were forfeited to the Crown including snorkels and masks, fly rod and reel, jiggers and weights, two Atlantic salmon, salmon licences and tags. Both individuals are prohibited from fishing inland waters for 18 months.
Edward Bourgeois of Kitchener, Ontario was fined $350 resulting from his conviction of fishing without a valid licence. A variety of fishing equipment and 19 speckled trout were forfeited to the Crown.
Robert Costard of Port au Port East was fined $500 for fishing with bait in scheduled waters. In addition, a variety of fishing equipment and bait used during the offence was forfeited to the Crown.
Henry Smith of Port au Port was convicted of possessing untagged salmon and fined $500. Fishing equipment, one Atlantic salmon and one salmon tag was also forfeited to the Crown.
Brian Power of Port au Port East was fined $500 for possession of untagged salmon. In addition, a variety of fishing equipment, a salmon vest and four Atlantic salmon were forfeited to the Crown.

On September 27, in Provincial Court at Port aux Basques, Judge Donald Luther convicted Randy MacIsaac and Jason MacIsaac of Cambridge, Ontario. An investigation undertaken by conservation officers with the Department of Natural Resources resulted in charges being laid against Randy MacIsaac and Jason MacIsaac as a result of their participation in a poaching ring operating earlier this summer in the St. Fintan�s area. Randy MacIsaac was fined $300, prohibited from being near inland waters for two years and placed on probation for two years. Jason MacIsaac was fined $500, prohibited from being near inland waters for three years, placed on probation for three years and ordered to perform 60 hours of community service. One automobile and 12 packages of salmon were also forfeited to the Crown. Several other charges relating to this investigation are still before the court.

Several other individuals were convicted recently at Provincial Court in Port Hope Simpson. On September 29, Judge Bruce Short convicted three individuals from the Avalon Peninsula for a variety of offences as follows:

Donald Sheppard of Spaniard�s Bay, Gary Smith of Conception Bay and Terry McCarthy of Upper Island Cove were each fined $2600 for a variety of offences under the Fisheries and Wildlife Act. The offences include illegal netting of salmon, illegal possession of salmon, illegal possession of untagged salmon, illegal possession of a furbearing animal, transporting a loaded firearm in a vehicle and illegal possession of firearm during closed season. Several items were also forfeited to the Crown including one 20-foot speed boat, a 75-horse power engine, two Atlantic salmon, seven char, four cod fish, a 22-calibre rifle, three salmon nets and one sea otter. All three individuals have been prohibited from recreational fishing for two years.

In addition, two separate investigations undertaken as part of the Inland Fisheries Enforcement Program in Labrador have resulted in convictions being recently handed down against two individuals. Alfred Spearing of Mary�s Harbour and Lewis Caldwell of Charottetown were convicted for illegal possession of untagged salmon. Mr. Spearing received a fine of $400 and had fishing equipment and one Atlantic salmon forfeited to the Crown. Mr. Caldwell was also fined $400 and had two Atlantic salmon forfeited to the Crown.

Media contact:
Carmel Turpin, Natural Resources, (709) 729-5282 or (709) 685-4624
Jim Maloney, Chief of Special Investigations, (709) 637-2053

2004 10 06 4:25 p.m.

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