Justice
August 6, 2007

Inland Fish Enforcement Officers Continue Successful Season

Officers from the Department of Justice�s Inland Fish Enforcement Program (IFEP) continue to make significant seizures across the province in connection to alleged offences concerning the illegal netting of salmon and trout.

During the past few weeks, IFEP officers have seized three boats and motors, two vehicles, 49 salmon and 108 trout, as well as various fishing-related equipment.

"I�m very proud of the work IFEP officers are doing this year, and the expanded regions our officers are targeting," said the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Justice. "They have been extremely diligent in apprehending individuals who seem intent on poaching salmon and trout from our inland waters."

Budget 2007 provided $270,400 for five new IFEP positions bringing the total budget up to just over $2 million. The additional staff brings the total IFEP contingent this year to 42.

The expansion of the program has allowed the extra resources needed for officers to respond quicker and to implement a public awareness campaign to target poachers.

"Our recent public awareness campaign is providing tremendous support to IFEP officers," said Minister Osborne. "Our officers respond quickly to tips from the public and the system we have worked out with Crime Stoppers is working well."

Several recent investigations have resulted in the following apprehensions and charges under various acts:

  • Lewisporte - Officers uncovered several violations under the provincial Wildlife Act as a result of vehicle checks at the ferry terminal in Lewisporte and seized a Ford SUV, 13 salmon (six untagged), 65 trout and char, and various angling gear.
  • St. Barbe - IFEP officers arrested an individual after he was checked exiting the ferry. In this investigation, the individual is alleged to be in possession of five untagged salmon and officers seized a motor vehicle.
  • Badger�s Quay - Officers received information through a public complaint about a net in the waters and quickly began conducting surveillance of the area. Two males were arrested for alleged illegal netting of salmon and the possession of untagged salmon and officers seized a 22-foot fiberglass boat and outboard engine, a net and six salmon fillets. Also that day, officers apprehended another individual with a net and 21 salmon. All items were seized along with a 22' fiberglass boat and outboard engine.
  • Black Duck Siding - A Crime Stoppers tip also led to the apprehension of two people for setting illegal nets.
  • Croque - IFEP officers arrested two individuals for illegal netting of salmon and an 18-foot fiberglass speed boat with a 30-hp outboard engine was seized, in addition to a salmon net.
  • Trout River - Two individuals from the community of Trout River also face charges of illegal netting of inland waters where 32 trout were seized and one Atlantic salmon and a net. The investigation for these offences occurred in the Chimney Cove area, south of Trout River.
  • Bonne Bay - Officers seized a boat and motor, net and various fishing -related gear, in addition to 11 sea trout.
  • Crabbe�s River (near Stephenville) - Officers removed a net from the river and seized a salmon. The individual also faces a charge of obstruction, among other charges.

In addition, officers will lay an additional 31 charges in connection to Operation Fox in the Conche area of the Northern Peninsula, bringing the total fish-related charges to 82. There are also charges pending under the federal Firearms Act and for possession of contraband cigarettes.

"This government takes the stewardship of the province�s inland fish resources very seriously," said the minister. "The recent seizures attest to the resolve of this program in dealing with organized poachers who continue to decimate this valuable resource in the name of greed."

To date, the IFEP officers have identified 296 fish-related violations and have laid 231 charges against 86 individuals. These numbers exceed the total number of violation detected in last year�s campaign.

"We believe the increased numbers are in response to the general public�s support of this program and we would like to thank them for continuing to report poaching activity," said Minister Osborne.

Investigations are ongoing and are often conducted with the support and co-operation of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The two agencies continue to share resources and work together were possible in an effort to address the serious poaching of the province�s salmon and trout stocks.

Anyone who is aware of suspicious activity in coastal or inland waters can make an anonymous toll free call to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or they can contact the IFEP headquarters by calling 709-637-2971.

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Media contact:

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

2007 08 06                                                  11:40 a.m.

 


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