Inland Fish Enforcement Field Operations Net Significant Penalties for Poachers

Operations conducted by Inland Fish Enforcement (IFE) officers of the Department of Justice during 2009 have resulted in incarceration, significant fines and prohibitions for salmon and trout poachers. During the season, 358 fish-related violations were recorded and 283 charges against 96 individuals were laid. Convictions resulting from investigations into salmon and trout poaching have resulted in fines of more than $72,000. In addition, 242 non-fish related offences, including violations relating to big game, firearms and all-terrain vehicles were laid and a pick-up truck, nine boats, three all-terrain vehicles, 18 illegal nets and 31 firearms were seized.

Operation Sweep, a four-month undercover operation into salmon poaching on the Burin Peninsula, recently concluded and resulted in 39 charges under various provincial and federal statutes. With the assistance of the Burin Royal Canadian Mounted Police Customs and Excise Section, IFE officers executed a search warrant on a residence and seized a quantity of untagged salmon, an outboard motor, a 16-foot boat, fishing equipment and a quantity of firearms. Two individuals from St. Lawrence are scheduled to appear in court on November 18, 2009 in relation to the operation.

Other convictions resulting from IFE 2009 operations:

• As a result of an operation with the assistance of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, a resident of Norris Point received a sentence of 150 days incarceration and prohibition from coastal waters and participation in any recreational fishing for a period of five years for a conviction of illegally netting Atlantic salmon in coastal waters, illegal possession of Atlantic salmon and fishing for Atlantic salmon during a closed time.
   
• As a result of the same operation, another individual received a $1,300 fine and is prohibited from coastal waters and participating in recreational fishing for one year.
   
• An individual from the Burin Peninsula received fines totaling $3,500 and a prohibition from fishing Canadian waters for two years after being convicted of fishing during a closed time and illegal netting of salmon in coastal waters during a closed time. As well, a 16-foot boat, an outboard motor and other related equipment were seized and forfeited.
   
• A resident of Stephenville Crossing was convicted of netting Atlantic salmon in coastal waters, possessing fish caught in contravention of the Fisheries Act and obstructing a peace officer. The individual received a $2,000 fine and is prohibited from fishing coastal waters for a period of two years except for purposes of employment.

The public is reminded they can anonymously report suspected poaching activity to Inland Fish Enforcement toll free at 1-877-820-0999 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Information about Inland Fish Enforcement is available on the Department of Justice website at www.justice.gov.nl.ca.

Photo #1: Items recently seized during Inland Fish Enforcement operations on the Burin Peninsula.

- 30 -

Media contact:
Ken Morrissey
Director of Communications
Department of Justice
709-729-6985, 685-6612
kenmorrissey@gov.nl.ca

2009 11 16                            10:35 a.m.