NLIS 1
June 7, 2005
(Natural Resources)
 

Nine individuals face 67 charges following migratory bird enforcement action

The largest migratory bird enforcement action ever in Atlantic Canada led by Environment Canada�s Canadian Wildlife Service, with the support of the Special Investigations Section and conservation officers from the provincial Department of Natural Resources, has resulted in nine individuals from the Port aux Basques and Rose Blanche areas of Newfoundland and Labrador facing 45 charges under the Migratory Bird Convention Act (MBCA), as well as 22 charges under other federal and provincial regulations.

Conservation officers with the Department of Natural Resources laid 22 charges under the Provincial Wildlife Act against six male adults from the Rose Blanche area. The charges include the illegal possession, hunting, killing and trafficking of caribou. Two of the individuals charged are facing charges under both the Provincial Wildlife Act and Migratory Bird Convention Act.

Various charges under the Criminal Code of Canada are also pending from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The charges result from a series of arrests and seizures by enforcement officers from Environment Canada�s Canadian Wildlife Service and the Department of Natural Resources on April 27, 2005, along the southwest coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. In the culmination of a three-year joint investigation, officers from Environment Canada�s Canadian Wildlife Service led a multi-agency enforcement team to break up a major organized poaching ring that was operating in the towns of Port aux Basque and Rose Blanche.

The undercover investigation, led by Environment Canada, was initiated in response to organized poaching and selling of migratory birds including ducks and turrs in the area of the southwest coast of insular Newfoundland.

Charges were laid following the execution of 11 search warrants by the 18 officer multi-agency enforcement team consisting of the Canadian Wildlife Service, the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Natural Resources, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Search warrants were executed by the officers on a number of residences and fishing sheds seizing a large quantity of items including firearms and ammunition, two boats with motors, as well as equipment related to the operation such as bird pickers and processing equipment. Officers also seized a number of items under the Provincial Wild Life Act which included illegal caribou meat, firearms, ammunition and a band saw and other items related to meat processing. If convicted on Migratory Bird Regulations, individuals could face fines of up to $250,000 as well as possible incarceration. Other charges could also result in fines and or imprisonment including fines up to $5000 for charges under the Provincial Wildlife Act. Convictions may also result in the forfeiture of any items that were seized.

For further information, contact:
Ken Tucker, Enforcement Coordinator, Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service, Lewisporte, (709) 535-0601

Carmel Turpin, Department of Natural Resources, (709) 729-5282, 685-4624

2005 06 07                         9:35 a.m.