GANDER, NL – In provincial court at Gander, four individuals were recently convicted of fishery violations totaling $7,500 as a result of investigations conducted by fisheries officers from the Fisheries and Oceans Canada detachment in Twillingate.
On September 10, 2009, Howard Lawrence Parsons of Lumsden was convicted of failure to remove his nets from the water prior to the close of the fishery and was fined $3,500. On June 28, 2008 fishery officers observed the vessel Challenger 2000 fishing Greenland halibut after the season had closed.
Leo McGrath of Fogo Island was fined $1,000 on September 9, 2009 for fishing Greenland halibut during a closed time and his catch, valued at $2,400, was forfeited by the court. On June 26, 2008, fishery officers boarded the vessel Future Endeavour and observed the violation.
On June 30, 2009, Robbie Randell of Gander was fined $500 for fishing cod in an unauthorized vessel. On September 26, 2008 fishery officers determined, through dockside monitoring reports that Mr. Randell was fishing from a vessel that was not authorized in his cod fishing licence.
On August 25, 2009, Kenneth Ford of Fogo was fined $100 for fishing from a vessel not identified in his licence. The violation was detected on September 25 and 26, 2008 by fishery officers following a review of dockside monitoring reports.
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 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
