The Inland Fish Enforcement team of the Department of
Justice has commenced its 2009 season with 37 field officers engaged in
fish enforcement activities on inland and coastal waters. The officers
are continuing to target organized poachers who have a destructive
impact on salmon and trout stocks through illegal activities.
During the last six weeks, 67 charges have been laid
against 39 individuals for fish-related offences including fishing
during closed times, illegal possession, attempting to catch fish other
than by angling and exceeding bag limits. Officers have also dealt with
a significant number of offences that fall under the Wild Life Act,
and the Motorized Snow Vehicles and All-Terrain Vehicles Act.
Already this year, officers have seized a total of 45 trout and salmon,
a large quantity of fishing and hunting equipment, including a boat and
outboard motor, along with a significant amount of firearms and
ammunition.
The Inland Fish Enforcement Program was established by
the Provincial Government in 2004 to address concerns raised by
conservation groups and recreational anglers that the Federal Government
was not living up to its responsibility to provide adequate enforcement
and conservation of salmon and trout in coastal and inland waters. To
cover this gap the Provincial Government provides over $2 million
annually to ensure the preservation of trout and salmon stocks for
future generations, including funding in Budget 2009: Building on Our
Strong Foundation to purchase a new coastal boat.
With angling now open on the west coast of the
province and many other rivers throughout the province opening soon, the
public is reminded they can anonymously report suspected poaching of
salmon or trout to Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-8477), Inland Fish
Enforcement (709-637-2971) or via the Department of Justice website:
www.gov.nl.ca/just/inlandfish/violation.htm.
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