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NLIS 1
August 23, 2005
(Natural Resources)
Fisheries enforcement
effort showing positive results
Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources,
said today the 2005 Inland Fisheries Enforcement Program (IFEP) is
showing positive results as conservation officers continue to lay
charges, issue warnings, and make seizures of equipment being used
during illegal poaching activity on the province�s inland waters.
�The department�s conservation officers have been very busy this
summer monitoring our salmon rivers for poaching activity,� said
Minister Byrne. �Again this year we are having a positive impact on
deterring the level of poaching activity occurring and we are making
great strides in conserving our Atlantic salmon. I commend our team
for their dedicated effort to ensure the program is another
success.�
To date, officers have laid 31 charges and issued 14 warnings
related to illegal fishing activity. In addition, 70 further
violations have been detected where charges are pending and more
charges are expected to be laid in the coming weeks as ongoing
investigations are completed. Patrol and surveillance activity has
also resulted in the seizure of 18 illegal nets, three boats, one
ATV, 64 salmon and various pieces of fishing equipment from various
regions of the province.
Minister Byrne indicated that the province�s conservation officers
have been taking part in joint patrols with fishery officers of the
federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and river guardians. The
minister said the provincial officers have noted a significant
increase in the presence of DFO fishery officers along the
province�s waterways as compared to previous years.
Minister Byrne said the provincial government established the Inland
Fisheries Enforcement Program in 2004 to address significant
concerns being raised by resource user groups and conservation
organizations that the federal government was not living up to its
responsibility to provide adequate enforcement along the province�s
salmon rivers.
�Our experience last year proved there were well-established
poaching rings operating throughout the province. We were successful
in reducing the levels of poaching activity while clearly
demonstrating that this illegal activity was being inadequately
addressed by existing enforcement agencies,� said Minister Byrne.
�It is encouraging to see that DFO has stepped up to the plate and
are making a concerted effort along with the province�s team of
conservation officers to protect the vulnerable Atlantic salmon. The
added DFO presence, combined with the IFEP team, will certainly
boost the overall enforcement effort this summer.�
Minister Byrne said conservation officers, DFO officers and river
guardians will continue their patrols and surveillance activity
which is proving invaluable as a deterrent to potential violators.
The minister noted this effort has heightened public awareness about
the damage being inflicted on vulnerable Atlantic salmon stocks and
that this activity is no longer acceptable.
�We all have a role to play in protecting our natural resources,�
said Minister Byrne. �We will continue to work co-operatively with
other enforcement agencies and the general public to provide
enhanced protection for our inland fish resources.�
Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-5282,
685-4624
2005 08 23
10:25 a.m.
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