Justice
August 11, 2014

Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officers Actively Patrolling the Province’s Lakes and Rivers

Over the past several weeks, officers with the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Division have charged 17 people with offences related to the alleged illegal fishing of Atlantic salmon and trout in various regions of the province.

In Labrador on July 15 and July 17, two non-residents were charged in unrelated incidents with fishing violations related to trout. These occurred on the Walsh River and Lobstick Lake. Charges include allegations of non-resident fishing without the services of an outfitter and non-resident angling without an Inland Trout Fishing Licence. Fishing gear including rods, reels and lures were seized.

On July 17, 2014, an individual from Hampden and another from Labrador City were arrested in Hampden, White Bay. These individuals had seven Atlantic salmon in their possession which are alleged to have been illegally netted in Gold Cove. Items seized included an aluminum boat, a Ford F150 pick-up truck, a 200 foot salmon net, a cooler, a fish tote tray, and the seven Atlantic salmon. Charges are pending.

On July 21, 2014, an individual from Cold Brook near Stephenville was detained and charged at Fox Island River for illegally jigging Atlantic salmon. A four-wheeled ATV, salmon rod, vest, worms, three-pronged jiggers and an Atlantic salmon were seized by officers.

Between July 21 and July 24, officers from Grand Falls-Windsor and Corner Brook Detachments of the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Division apprehended six individuals for a series of alleged Atlantic salmon related offences including angling in closed areas, angling as non-residents without a guide, angling for salmon without a salmon angling licence, angling for salmon with bait and lure and possession of improperly tagged salmon. A quantity of salmon angling gear was seized and charges are pending.

On July 23, officers patrolling the Pinware River in Labrador charged an individual for possessing Atlantic salmon that was not properly tagged.

On July 25, 2014, an individual from Deer Lake was detained and charged for possession of illegally taken Atlantic salmon at Aides Lake, near the head waters of the Humber River. Two large Atlantic salmon with the heads and tails removed, fishing waders, an assortment of angling gear and a GMC Canyon pick-up truck were seized.

On July 27, 2014, an individual from Sops Arm, White Bay, and another from Alberta, were arrested in the early morning hours at Sops Arm and charges are pending for illegally netting Atlantic salmon in coastal waters. An aluminum boat, salmon net, waders and a fish tote tray were seized. Charges are also pending against these two individuals for a separate incident of illegally netting Atlantic salmon on July 26.

On July 28, 2014, an individual was arrested at Seal Cove, White Bay, in the early morning hours after attempting to flee from Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officers. Officers were successful in apprehending the man with the aid of an infrared camera and as a result of the ensuing investigation, charges are pending related to the possession of a net near inland waters and obstruction.

On July 30, 2014, a resident of Port aux Basques was detained at Codroy River for illegal possession of a large Atlantic salmon. The individual’s angling gear was seized and charges are pending.

The Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Division wishes to remind would-be poachers that officers are committed to apprehending those who violate the law and who threaten Newfoundland and Labrador’s world-class Atlantic salmon and trout populations. Throughout the summer officers will continue to be active by travelling throughout all regions of the province to enforce legislation that protects fish stocks.

The public plays a significant role in catching poachers and is encouraged to report any suspicious activity. This can be done anonymously and toll-free at any time of the day, by calling the Fish and Wild Enforcement Division at 1-877-820-0999, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. Anonymous online reports can also be submitted at www.stoppoaching.ca or www.nlcrimestoppers.com .

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