Courts Hand Down Fines For Fishery Violations in Eastern Newfoundland

News Release

December 14, 2009

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR – Provincial courts recently convicted four individuals of fishery offences following investigations by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).

On September 16, 2009 in provincial court at St. John's, Gary Picco of Portugal Cove was convicted of fishing for cod without a licence. Mr. Picco was fined $2,000 and 100 pounds of cod was forfeited by the court. Fishery officers from the Bay Roberts detachment inspected Mr. Picco's vehicle on September 25, 2008 and discovered 100 pounds of unmonitored cod fillets and determined that Mr. Picco did not hold a valid cod fishing licence for the 2008 season.
On August 26, 2009 in provincial court at Grand Bank, Alec Hickey of Southern Harbour was fined $1,500 for failure to take an at-sea observer at the request of a fishery officer and providing false information in his fishing logs. Fishery officers from the Arnold's Cove and Marystown detachments carried out the investigation.
On August 20, 2009 in provincial court at St. John's, Sean Squires of St. Phillips was convicted of fishing cod during a closed time. Mr. Squires was fined $900 and prohibited from fishing groundfish for one year. In addition his catch and fishing gear were forfeited by the court. On August 17, 2009 fishery officers from the Bay Roberts detachment were conducting a patrol in the Portugal Cove area and observed Mr. Squires fishing from the shoreline. An inspection revealed that Mr. Squires had nine gutted and headed codfish in his backpack.
On August 27, 2009 in provincial court at St. John's, Sylvester Fleming of Peter's River was convicted of fishing cod during a closed time. Mr. Fleming was fined $450, prohibited from fishing in the 2010 recreational groundfish fishery, and his catch and fishing gear were forfeited by the court. A fishery officer from the Placenta detachment on patrol in the area of St. Vincent's Beach on July 16, 2009 observed Mr. Fleming fishing with a casting rod and heavy lure. Further investigation determined Mr. Fleming had caught and retained three codfish.

Conservation measures exist to protect and rebuild fish stocks so that these sustainable fishing resources can be enjoyed by communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador for generations to come. Anyone wishing to report suspicious fishing activities may do so by contacting their nearest DFO office or by 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

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Courts Hand Down Fines For Fishery Violations in Eastern Newfoundland

News Release

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