Justice
July 30, 2010
Provincial Inland Fish Enforcement Officers
Arrest Poachers
Surveillance operations by Inland Fish
Enforcement (IFE) officers are continuing to keep Newfoundland and
Labrador inland fish stocks safe from poachers. In recent weeks, IFE has
dismantled nine illegal netting operations, resulting in the seizure of
four boats and three outboard motors, 14 illegal nets and a significant
quantity of salmon and trout.
So far this year, IFE officers have dealt with
210 violations and laid charges against 80 individuals for fish-related
offences. In addition, officers have laid charges against 76 individuals
for a range of wildlife, ATV and firearms violations. As well, since
January of this year, fines resulting from IFE operations exceed
$25,000.
IFE investigations into alleged illegal
netting over the last four weeks include the following:
- On July 23, three individuals were apprehended
near the community of Peterview in the Bay of Exploits for netting
Atlantic salmon. Officers seized two nets and five Atlantic salmon;
- On July 21, near Pound Cove on the Baie Verte
Peninsula, officers arrested one individual for netting salmon in
coastal waters and seized nets and six large salmon;
- Officers apprehended two individuals near the
community of Dover, Bonavista Bay, on July 11, for netting salmon
and trout in coastal waters. Officers seized a boat and outboard
motor, nets, and a quantity of salmon and trout;
-
Separate investigations into netting in coastal
waters on the Northern Peninsula led to arrests and seizures. On
June 29, officers arrested three individuals near Englee, seizing a
boat, nets and related equipment. On July 5, near Flower's Cove,
officers seized a boat and outboard motor, and a variety of fishing
equipment, including nets; and,
-
On July 7, two individuals were apprehended for
being in possession of a salmon net near Harry's River in the Bay
St. George area on the province's west coast.
IFE officers wish to remind anglers of the
importance of properly, and immediately, cutting and removing the date
of retention on their salmon tag, noting that it is an offence to
possess an Atlantic salmon that is not properly tagged. While
compliance with the newly developed salmon tag has been extremely
positive and well received, there have been instances where individuals
have not been complying with salmon licence conditions. Tags must be
immediately and securely locked through the gills and mouth of retained
salmon, and the month and day must immediately be clearly cut out of the
vinyl portion of the tag. So far this year, officers have seized 25
Atlantic salmon, fishing rods and associated licences related to
improperly tagged salmon.
The public are reminded that they can
anonymously report suspected poaching activity 24-hours a day, toll free
at 1-877-820-0999. To view photos of seizures relating to recent
operations or to learn more about Inland Fish Enforcement and how to
help, visit
www.stoppoaching.ca.
Photo #1: Recent Inland Fish Enforcement operations near Dover, Bonavista Bay, on July 11, led to the arrests of two individuals for allegedly illegally netting salmon and trout in coastal waters. Officers seized a boat, outboard motor and nets, along with salmon and trout.
Photo #2: Inland Fish Enforcement operations near the community of Peterview in the Bay of Exploits led to the arrests of three individuals on July 23 for allegedly illegally netting salmon. Officers seized two nets and five Atlantic salmon.
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Media contact:
Jennifer Tulk
Director of Communications
Department of Justice
709-729-6985, 699-6524
JenniferTulk@gov.nl.ca
2010 07 30
9:55 a.m.
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