NLIS 2
May 13, 2005
(Environment and Conservation)
Amendments to Wildlife
Act will see tougher penalties for inland fisheries violations
Tom Osborne, Minister of Environment
and Conservation, yesterday introduced amendments to the Wildlife
Act that will enhance the province�s inland fisheries enforcement
and management program by providing stronger deterrents for those
who participate in illegal inland fisheries activities, such as
salmon poaching.
"Government and I, as the minister responsible for conservation,
acknowledge that fisheries violations are a problem in some areas of
our province," said Minister Osborne. "Salmon poaching, for example,
is an issue that we take very seriously. This has been clearly
demonstrated by Premier Danny Williams with the provision of
$800,000 in Budget 2005 for an expanded inland fisheries enforcement
program within the Department of Natural Resources. The enforcement
program is in response to our concern that the federal government is
not living up to its responsibility to protect the resources of the
province�s inland waters."
The minister said an effective approach to controlling salmon
poaching and other fisheries violations is through appropriate
enforcement and legislation. "Our government has acted on the need
for enhanced enforcement by implementing the inland fisheries
enforcement program, and today we are building on our efforts to
conserve and protect our inland fish resources by introducing
tougher penalties for those who choose to participate in reckless,
irresponsible and illegal fishing practices," said the minister.
Minister Osborne explained that amendments to the Wildlife Act will
see the maximum penalty for inland fisheries violations increase
from $500 to $5,000 or six months imprisonment or both. Introducing
stiffer fines will act as a stronger deterrent for violators.
Changes to the act will also allow for such penalties as the
cancellation of an inland fisheries licence for a specified time, to
prohibiting someone from holding a licence permanently, if
convicted.
The minister noted that given enforcement and conservation on our
salmon rivers are the responsibility of the federal government, the
province will continue to press upon them the critical need to
properly address the problem of commercial poaching operations.
"In the meantime, the people of this province can be assured that we
will not ignore this issue � strengthening our Wildlife Act
demonstrates this," said Minister Osborne. "Stiffer fines and
penalties will go a long way in curtailing salmon poaching and other
illegal activities in our inland waters."
Minister Osborne added that government will continue to have a zero
tolerance for those who participate in poaching activity. "We will
continue to take whatever steps we can to protect and conserve our
inland fish resources," said the minister. "Increasing the penalties
and fines for fisheries violations is another example of an
action-oriented government � a government dedicated to sound
conservation and management goals that ensure the future of our
natural heritage."
The new penalties and fines for inland fisheries violations will be
effective for the 2005 angling season.
Media contact: Tina Coffey, Communications, (709) 729-5783, 728-8650
2005 05 13
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