GRAND BANK, NL – In provincial court at Grand Bank, on August 4, 2009, six individuals were convicted of lobster violations totaling $18,000 as a result of investigations conducted by fisheries officers from the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) detachment in Marystown.
Joan Pike of Harbour Mille was convicted of possession of v-notched and undersized lobsters and fined $6,000. Fishery officers found the illegal lobsters on June 2, 2008 during a patrol in the Harbour Mille area and an inspection of lobster holding pens belonging to Ms. Pike.
Perry Cluett of Garnish was convicted of possession of v-notched and undersized lobsters and fined $5,750. While on patrol in the Garnish area on May 23, 2008, fishery officers conducted an inspection of Mr. Cluett’s lobster catch and detected the illegal lobsters.
Clayton Johnson of Jacques Fontaine and Edison Dominaux of St. Bernard’s were both convicted of possession of v-notched lobsters, and Mr. Johnson was also convicted of possession of undersized lobsters. Mr. Johnson was fined $3,250 and Mr. Dominaux was fined $1,000. On May 26, 2008 while on patrol in the area of Jacques Fontaine, fishery officers inspected the lobster catches of both individuals and detected the violations.
Allan Nolan and Merril Tibbo of Frenchman’s Cove were both convicted of possession of v-notched lobsters, and Mr. Nolan was also convicted of possession of egg-bearing lobsters. Both individuals were fined $1,000. On June 2, 2008 fishery officers detected the infractions during a vessel patrol in the Frenchman’s Cove area and an inspection of lobster holding pens belonging to Mr. Nolan and Mr. Tibbo.
All illegal lobsters in these violations were photographed by fishery officers and immediately released back into the water.
V-notching is a voluntary practice amongst commercial lobster harvesters where one in four egg-bearing female lobsters is given a v-shaped cut in a section of the tail fan. The lobster is then carefully returned to the water. A v-notch remains visible for several years, and allows the female to grow larger, spawn several times and produce more and better quality eggs. It is illegal to retain undersized and v-notched lobsters.
DFO is committed to the conservation and protection of lobster resources in Newfoundland and Labrador. Anyone wishing to report suspicious fishing activities may do so by contacting their nearest DFO office or 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
NR-NL-09-38
