PLUM POINT, NL – The provincial court at Plum Point recently convicted individuals of fishery offences following investigations by fishery officers from the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) detachment in St. Anthony.
On January 19, 2009 Nelson and Roland White of Sandy Cove, Northern Peninsula both received a fine of $100 for failing to bleed their catch of seals as required by their 2008 seal licence. In addition, the court ordered both individuals to participate in a DFO seal information session outlining the rules and regulations surrounding the 2009 seal harvest.
Emanuel Mitchelmore of Green Island Cove, Northern Peninsula was convicted of offloading Atlantic halibut without the presence of a dockside monitor. He received a fine of $250. The offence occurred on June 25, 2008.
On March 30, 2009 four individuals from the Northern Peninsula were convicted of fishery offences.
Shawn and Jacob Chambers of Blue Cove both received a fine of $100 for failing to bleed their catch of seals as required by their 2008 seal licence. They were apprehended on April 13, 2008 while fishery officers were conducting a routine patrol of the commercial seal hunt in the Blue Cove area.
Michael Gibbons of Forrester's Point was convicted of using a vessel without a registration and was fined $250. Mr. Gibbons was apprehended on September 8, 2008 by fishery officers after an investigation revealed he was scallop fishing in an unregistered vessel.
Norman Cull of Great Brehat was convicted of failing to have a vessel registration number displayed on his fishing vessel. He received a fine of $100.
DFO is committed to the conservation and protection of marine resources in Newfoundland and Labrador. Anyone wishing to report suspicious fishing activities may do so by contacting their nearest DFO office or calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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For more information:
Sam Whiffen, Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(709) 772-7631
