Convictions Result from Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Investigation

As the result of an investigation that took place in May, 2013, officers with the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Division, with the assistance of officials with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, arrested and charged five individuals with illegally netting salmon in the Bay L’Argent region of the Burin Peninsula. All of those arrested were convicted.

On October 29, 2013 Jeffrey Hynes of Bay L’Argent was the final party to be sentenced when he appeared in Provincial Court in Grand Bank. Mr. Hynes received a $6,000 fine and was prohibited from fishing in coastal and inland waters for ten years. Equipment that was seized as a part of the investigation, including an 18-foot fiberglass boat and outboard motor, were forfeited. As part of Mr. Hynes’ sentencing, Judge Harold Porter ordered that the $6,000 fine be directed to the Salmon Association of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador for salmon enhancement projects.

The other four individuals who were also apprehended as part of the investigation were convicted in July with each receiving a $1,000 fine and being prohibited from fishing for one year. These were Howard Banfield, James Synard and Leo Myles of St. Bernard’s and Charles Dominaux of Bay L’Argent.

The public can play an important role in catching poachers by anonymously reporting suspected poaching activity 24-hours a day, toll-free to either Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or Fish and Wildlife Enforcement at 1-877-820-0999. Anonymous online reports can also be submitted at www.stoppoaching.ca or www.nlcrimestoppers.com . 

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Media contact:
Luke Joyce
Director of Communications
Department of Justice
709-729-6985, 725-4165
lukejoyce@gov.nl.ca 

2013 11 06 3:20 p.m.