NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR – A number of investigations in the recreational fishery carried out by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Newfoundland and Labrador Region, have resulted in the following convictions:
Austin Ryan of Oakville, Ontario was fined $500 for exceeding the daily limit of groundfish during the 2008 recreational groundfish fishery. Five cod and fishing gear were also forfeited to the Crown. Mr. Ryan was apprehended on a beach in the community of St. Vincent's by fishery officers after he was observed returning from two fishing trips on August 2, 2008, and exceeding his maximum daily limit of five groundfish on the second trip.
Victor Whiffen of Little Harbour and Bernard Anthony of Southern Harbour were convicted in St. John's Provincial Court on August 21, 2008, of illegal fishing and possession of Atlantic salmon and Atlantic cod at a time when fishing seasons were closed. The men were apprehended on June 27, 2008, by fishery officers and fishery guardians from the DFO detachment in Placentia following surveillance of capelin traps set in Placentia Bay. Each was fined $3,000 and prohibited from participating in recreational fishing for one year. Seven Atlantic salmon and seven Atlantic cod were forfeited to the Crown.
David Fitzpatrick of St. John's was fined $300 and prohibited from recreational fishing for one year after he was found guilty of possession of an untagged Atlantic salmon. The violation was detected by a fishery guardian from the Placentia detachment after inspecting Mr. Fitzpatrick's vehicle on the highway near North East River, Placentia Bay on July 15, 2008. One salmon was forfeited.
On August 19, 2008, Maurice Gibbons of St. Vincent's was fined $500 for exceeding the daily limit of five groundfish during the 2008 recreational groundfish fishery. DFO fishery officers apprehended Mr. Gibbons on a beach in St. Vincent's after he returned from a second fishing trip that day. In each instance he had in his possession five cod and in so doing exceeded the daily limit allowed.
William Blagdon of Marysvale was fined $1,000 and prohibited from fishing in coastal waters for one year for exceeding the daily limit during the 2007 recreational groundfish fishery. Sixteen cod and two mackerel were forfeited to the Crown. On October 3, 2007, fishery officers from the DFO Marystown detachment were conducting a sea patrol and inspection of boats in the vicinity of Mortier Bank, Placentia Bay and charged Mr. Blagdon for the violation.
On September 15, 2008, Michael Hunt of St. Alban's was fined $750 in provincial court at Head of Bay d'Espoir for possession of Atlantic salmon larger than 63 centimeters and for misleading a fishery guardian. Fishery guardians from the DFO detachment in Harbour Breton apprehended Mr. Hunt near Northwest Brook during a surveillance patrol on June 15, 2008. One salmon and fishing gear were forfeited to the Crown.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada has a mandate to protect and conserve fishery resources and is vigilant in its efforts to prevent poaching of marine resources.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Sara Dunderdale
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(709) 772-7626
NR-NL-08-31E
