Amendments to Wildlife Act will see tougher penalties for inland fisheries violations

Tom Osborne, Minister of Environment and Conservation, yesterday introduced amendments to the Wildlife Act that will enhance the province�s inland fisheries enforcement and management program by providing stronger deterrents for those who participate in illegal inland fisheries activities, such as salmon poaching.

"Government and I, as the minister responsible for conservation, acknowledge that fisheries violations are a problem in some areas of our province," said Minister Osborne. "Salmon poaching, for example, is an issue that we take very seriously. This has been clearly demonstrated by Premier Danny Williams with the provision of $800,000 in Budget 2005 for an expanded inland fisheries enforcement program within the Department of Natural Resources. The enforcement program is in response to our concern that the federal government is not living up to its responsibility to protect the resources of the province�s inland waters."

The minister said an effective approach to controlling salmon poaching and other fisheries violations is through appropriate enforcement and legislation. "Our government has acted on the need for enhanced enforcement by implementing the inland fisheries enforcement program, and today we are building on our efforts to conserve and protect our inland fish resources by introducing tougher penalties for those who choose to participate in reckless, irresponsible and illegal fishing practices," said the minister.

Minister Osborne explained that amendments to the Wildlife Act will see the maximum penalty for inland fisheries violations increase from $500 to $5,000 or six months imprisonment or both. Introducing stiffer fines will act as a stronger deterrent for violators. Changes to the act will also allow for such penalties as the cancellation of an inland fisheries licence for a specified time, to prohibiting someone from holding a licence permanently, if convicted.

The minister noted that given enforcement and conservation on our salmon rivers are the responsibility of the federal government, the province will continue to press upon them the critical need to properly address the problem of commercial poaching operations.

"In the meantime, the people of this province can be assured that we will not ignore this issue � strengthening our Wildlife Act demonstrates this," said Minister Osborne. "Stiffer fines and penalties will go a long way in curtailing salmon poaching and other illegal activities in our inland waters."

Minister Osborne added that government will continue to have a zero tolerance for those who participate in poaching activity. "We will continue to take whatever steps we can to protect and conserve our inland fish resources," said the minister. "Increasing the penalties and fines for fisheries violations is another example of an action-oriented government � a government dedicated to sound conservation and management goals that ensure the future of our natural heritage."

The new penalties and fines for inland fisheries violations will be effective for the 2005 angling season.

Media contact: Tina Coffey, Communications, (709) 729-5783, 728-8650

2005 05 13                              10:05 a.m.