BAIE VERTE, NL - A joint enforcement operation in the Baie Verte area has resulted
in the conviction of six central Newfoundland men for salmon violations.
Operation Scaly was a joint enforcement operation conducted over the summer,
involving fishery officers from the Springdale Detachment, a DFO Special Operations
Team and conservation officers from the provincial Department of Justice. The
operation was a result of complaints of salmon being retained as bycatch from
capelin trap leaders, and of illegal salmon nets.
Using video cameras and high zoom spotting scopes, the Operation Scaly team
observed the six individuals retain salmon from capelin trap leaders near various
towns on July 13, 2006.
All six men appeared in Baie Verte Provincial Court on October 12, 2006. George
Ryan and Lorne Wayne Andrews, both of LaScie, and Raymond Matthews of Brent's
Cove were each fined $3,500 for fishing salmon during a closed time. Freeman
Bath of LaScie and William Sullivan of Brent's Cove were each fined $2,500 for
the same offence, while Joshua Shea of Harbour Round received a $1,000 fine.
Each man was also convicted for possessing illegally caught salmon. For this
offence, Mr. Matthews and Mr. Shea were each fined $200, Mr. Ryan was fined
$300, Mr. Andrews and Mr. Bath each received a $150 fine, and Mr. Sullivan was
fined $400. Mr. Sullivan's boat and motor were also ordered forfeited to the
Crown.
A portion of the fines have been ordered to be paid to the Ragged Harbour Conservation
Group.
DFO encourages the reporting of poaching activity and remind the public that
selling or purchasing wild Atlantic salmon are offences punishable by law. Poaching
is a serious threat to salmon stocks. Poachers disregard regulations and the
efforts of community stewardship groups to protect and rebuild salmon stocks.
Kim Penney
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
709-772-7629
Larry Vaters
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
709-772-7633
NR-NL-06-38E
