April 30, 2007
SHEDIAC The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Gulf Region,
announced today restitution money will be handed over to DFO's Habitat Section as
a result of one of the largest series of fines imposed for destruction of fish habitat
in New Brunswick history.
On March 7, 2007 a total of $60,000 in fines and payments were imposed on two
New Brunswick businessmen and on their companies by Provincial Court Judge Camille
Vautour for violating subsection 35(1) of the Fisheries Act.
Paul-Émile Léger of Grand Barachois and David Dutcher of Meadow Brook, the respective
owners of the numbered company 605308 N.B. Ltd. and of D&D Excavating Ltd., were
found guilty by Judge Vautour on December 20, 2006 of carrying out work resulting
in the alteration, disruption and destruction of fish habitat.
The charges were the result of an investigation launched in Cape Tormentine in
2003 by DFO fishery officers and habitat biologists. They were investigating infilling
at the shore of an area formerly used as a docking station for ferries travelling
between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
Judge Vautour imposed fines of $10,000 each on Léger, Dutcher, 605308 N.B. Ltd.
and D&D Excavating Ltd. In addition, Léger and 605308 N.B. Ltd. were ordered to
pay $20,000 to DFO Gulf Region's Habitat Section. This money will be used for the
assessment, restoration and improvement of fish habitat in the Cape Tormentine area
of New Brunswick.
DFO is committed to safeguarding fish and fish habitat, including incorporating
habitat protection requirements into land and water-use activities and projects.
Anyone with questions about fish habitat is encouraged to contact their nearest
DFO office.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Krista Petersen
Communications Branch
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Gulf Region
506-851-7171
