NLIS 31
March 21, 2005
(Executive Council)
Government makes new
investment to curb salmon poaching
Premier Danny Williams says the
investment of $800,000 in Budget 2005 to expand the Inland Fisheries
Enforcement Program (IFEP) signals government�s resolve to tackle
head-on the poaching problem in the province and to protect this
vital natural resource.
In 2004, the provincial government implemented the Inland Fisheries
Enforcement Program to provide for a dedicated team of conservation
officers to curb poaching on the province�s inland waters. This
decision was in response to this government�s position that the
federal government was not adequately living up to its
responsibility to provide for enforcement.
"Atlantic salmon are a critical component of the province�s outdoor
recreational experience," said Premier Williams. "The province is
committed to resource conservation and protection; we need to stop
illegal poaching and bring to justice those who engage in this
activity. The provincial government�s participation in this program
is not to replace the federal government�s responsibility but to add
to the enforcement effort in protection of the stock."
There are 186 licensed salmon rivers in Newfoundland and Labrador
and 69 per cent of all Atlantic salmon caught in Atlantic Canada are
caught in this province. The province�s inland resources are greater
than the combined totals of New England and the rest of Atlantic
Canada.
The funding will provide additional tools and human resources to
combat organized poaching operations on the province�s rivers. A
review of the 2004 Inland Fisheries Enforcement Program highlighted
specific areas where additional resources would significantly
enhance the team�s ability to apprehend violators participating in
organized poaching operations. During 2004, the Inland Fisheries
Enforcement Program resulted in 180 charges against 104 individuals.
"Last year, officers from this department had a significant impact
on salmon poaching throughout our inland waters," said the Premier.
"We have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to organized poaching
in the province. We will also continue to lobby the federal
government to provide additional resources for the protection of
inland fisheries."
Media contact:
Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, Communications, (709)
729-3960, 690-5500
Carmel Turpin, Natural Resources, (709) 729-5282, 685-4624
2005 03 21
3:40 p.m. |