Fish and Wildlife Officers Seize Atlantic Salmon and Make Several Arrests

Fish and wildlife enforcement officers from the Department of Justice retrieved 65 Atlantic salmon from illegal nets during four separate investigations last week across the province. As a result of ongoing surveillance and reports to the fish and wildlife poaching hotline, officers arrested four individuals for a range of poaching offences, seized a 20-foot fiberglass boat and outboard motor, as well as five illegal salmon nets – each stretching half the length of a football field – among other items.

During an early morning patrol of Conche Harbour on the Northern Peninsula on Saturday, July 9, fish and wildlife enforcement officers found two 150-foot illegal gill nets containing 25 Atlantic salmon, ranging in size from four to 17 pounds. The 17 dead salmon were seized and the remaining eight salmon found alive were released.

Responding to a report to the poaching hotline on the evening of July 8, officers located a 100 foot-long illegal net stretched across the Robinsons River in Bay St. George. There were approximately 30 Atlantic salmon dead and decaying in the net. The net had been set and left for several days, leaving the 30 salmon in an advanced stage of decay in the river.

A surveillance investigation near Peterview, next to the Exploits River on July 8, resulted in the arrest of two individuals for illegal netting of inland waters. Officers seized another 150-foot illegal gill net and four Atlantic salmon. Two of these salmon were in the 10 to 12 pound range.

During another surveillance investigation into illegal netting, officers arrested two individuals near Robert’s Arm, Green Bay, on July 7, for a range of offences including illegal netting and possession. Officers seized a 20-foot fiberglass boat and motor, a 150-foot illegal gill net and six Atlantic salmon.

The Robinsons River and Conche Harbour investigations are ongoing, and officers need the public’s assistance to help apprehend the individuals responsible.

Information on these investigations, or any suspected poaching activity, can be reported anonymously to fish and wildlife enforcement officers 24 hours a day, toll- free at 1-877-820-0999. For more information on fish and wildlife enforcement, visit www.stoppoaching.ca

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Photo #1: Fish and Wildlife Enforcement officers seized 17 salmon from two illegal gill nets near the community of Conche on the Northern Peninsula, as part of an ongoing investigation. Eight salmon were released.

Photo #2: Thirty salmon left to rot in a gill net on Robinsons River, Bay St. George. Fish and wildlife enforcement is asking the public to call the anonymous poaching hotline at 1-877-820-0999 with any information that could lead to an arrest.

Photo #3: A surveillance investigation near Peterview, next to the Exploits River, on July 8 resulted in the arrest of two individuals for illegal netting of inland waters. Fish and wildlife enforcement officers seized a 150-foot illegal gill net and four Atlantic salmon.

Photo #4: Fish and wildlife enforcement officers seized a 20-foot fiberglass boat and motor, a 150-foot illegal gill net, and six Atlantic salmon on July 7 near Robert’s Arm, Green Bay.

Media contact:
Vanessa Colman-Sadd
Director of Communications
Department of Justice
709-729-6985
vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca 

2011 07 15                                                                            10:25 a.m.