Justice and Public Safety
August 15, 2016

Salmon Poaching Incident in Hampden Leads to Charges

A joint operation between the Department of Justice and Public Safety�s Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Division and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada has disrupted a salmon poaching ring in the small White Bay community of Hampden.

The joint surveillance operation started after officers had received numerous complaints of illegal netting during the 2016 salmon migration season.

As a result of a lengthy investigation, in the early morning of August 9, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officers from the Corner Brook Detachment and Fishery Guardians from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Springdale Detachment were successful in apprehending three adult women from Hampden for salmon poaching on Hampden River which is a small scheduled salmon river.

The three women were arrested without incident after officers had observed them set a net under a bridge in Hampden which completely spanned the river. After setting the net, the women threw rocks into the pool to drive salmon into it. Officers believe there may have been other individuals involved and the investigation into the matter is continuing.

Seized as a result of the investigation were a net, one Atlantic salmon and two ski masks. The three women were released and will appear in Provincial Court in Corner Brook on December 6, 2016. They face charges of possession of a net near inland waters, netting salmon in inland waters and possession of fish caught in contravention of the Fisheries Act.

The Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Division and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada are requesting information from the public related to this or any other incident of suspected poaching. Please report any suspicious activity anonymously and toll-free at any time of the day, by calling 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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NOTE: Photos to accompany this release are available on the News Releases site at
           www.gov.nl.ca/releases or on the News Releases Photos site at
           www.releases.gov.nl.ca/Photos/All.

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2016 08 15                              10:20 p.m.