Justice
March 14, 2007

Inland Fisheries Enforcement Program Charges Result in Convictions

As a result of charges laid against individuals under the Federal Fisheries Regulations and/or Wildlife Regulations, several convictions have been filed in provincial courts already this year as part of the Inland Fisheries Enforcement Program (IFEP).

While charges and convictions vary in specific cases, sentences range from small to large monetary fines, removal of firearms, removal and/or seizure of fishing licences and/or seizure of items including recreational vehicles, and fishing gear etc.

During the summer of 2006, provincial inland fish enforcement officers apprehended two individuals on the Northern Peninsula for offenses under the Fisheries Act as well as an offence under the Provincial Wildlife Act. Henry Genge and Michael Walsh entered guilty pleas to having unlawfully fished for, and possessed salmon, while Mr. Genge also plead guilty to a firearms offence. Judge Wayne Gorman sentenced the two Flowers Cove men to fines totaling $3,800. Each individual was fined $1,800 each for the fishing offence, while Mr. Genge received an additional $200 fine for the firearms offence. Judge Gorman also prohibited both offenders from participating in any form or manner of fishing for 12 months.

Each offender must also make a contribution of $250 to a salmon conservation organization located in the province and are restricted from Mr. Genge�s cabin in Eastern Arm where the offences occurred except for emergencies related to the continuing existence of the cabin such as fires or storms, from May 1, 2007 to November 30, 2007. 

Other recent convictions include:

  • James Graham of Pictou County, NS who was convicted of possessing untagged salmon and was fined $500.
  • Ian Rice of Pynn�s Brook, NL and Larry Antle of Toronto, ON received fines of $1,500 each for illegal netting in the Deer Lake area. Both men were placed on probation for one year and had a number of items seized by inland fish enforcement officers including a boat and motor and other items.
  • Christopher Chinn of Corner Brook, NL was convicted of two offences - illegal possession of untagged salmon and exceeding daily bag limit - and received fines totaling $600. Mr. Chinn is also prohibited from holding an inland fish licence for one year.
  • Robert Kettle of Searston, NL was found guilty of several offences including illegal possession of untagged salmon, exceeding daily bag limit, exceeding yearly quota and fishing salmon with bait. Mr. Kettle received fines totaling $6,000 and received a 10 year prohibition sentence from being near inland waters. Forfeited to the Crown were four untagged salmon, rod and reel, a packsack, etc.
  • William Cleary and Joseph Joyce of Dartmouth, NS were both convicted of angling for salmon without a licensed guide and were both fined $300.
  • Brian Gaudon of Port au Port, NL was found guilty of possession of untagged salmon and received a fine of $400 and had a rod and reel, salmon licence and salmon flies forfeited to the Crown.
  • Anthony Munden and Tyrone Keeping of Burnt Islands, NL were convicted for possession of salmon taken contrary to the regulations and possession of untagged salmon and received fines each of $1,300. Both are prohibited from being near inland waters for three years.
  • Randy Patey of Grand Falls-Windsor, NL was convicted for exceeding the possession limit for trout and was fined $700. Forfeited to the Crown were 63 trout.
    •

    Administration of the IFEP program was transferred to the Department of Justice from the Department of Natural Resources last year. Provincial enforcement officers will begin the 2007 enforcement season in May by continuing their efforts to catch and charge individuals who continue to violate the acts.

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    Media contact:
    Deborah Pennell
    Director of Communications
    Department of Justice
    709-729-6985, 685-6612
    deborahpennell@gov.nl.ca

    2007 03 14                                                      1:55 p.m.

     

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