February 22, 2010
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) investigations recently resulted in the conviction of seven individuals for Atlantic salmon violations.
- On December 3, 2009 in provincial court at Gander, Hayward Vivian of Hare Bay was convicted of fishing Atlantic salmon during a closed time and possession of untagged salmon. On July 23, 2009 fishery guardians from the DFO detachment in Clarenville inspected a boat belonging to Mr. Vivian and discovered the infraction. He was fined $4000, with the amount to be directed towards the conservation and protection of Atlantic salmon, and his catch was forfeited by the court. In addition, Mr. Vivian is prohibited from inland and coastal waters for five years and was sentenced to 14 days in jail.
- On December 3, 2009 in provincial court at Gander, Eric Oram of Dover was convicted of fishing for Atlantic salmon during a closed time and possession of untagged salmon. On June 23, 2009 fishery guardians from the DFO detachment in Clarenville were conducting surveillance in the Dover area and discovered the violation. Mr. Oram was fined $3500, with $2000 of the fine to be directed towards the conservation and protection of Atlantic salmon. In addition, Mr. Oram is prohibited from fishing inland and coastal waters for two years and his catch and gear were forfeited by the court.
- On December 3, 2009 in provincial court at Gander, Danny Goulding of Gambo was convicted of jigging Atlantic salmon in inland waters and possession of untagged salmon. On July 17, 2009 fishery guardians from the DFO detachment in Clarenville observed Mr. Goulding jigging and retaining an Atlantic salmon in North West Brook, a scheduled salmon river. Mr. Goulding was fined $2000, with $1000 of the fine to be directed towards the conservation and protection of Atlantic salmon, and his catch was forfeited by the court.
- On December 9, 2009 in provincial court at Clarenville, Henry Martin of Little Heart's Ease was convicted of possession of improperly tagged Atlantic salmon, foul hooking an Atlantic salmon and retaining an oversized Atlantic salmon. On July 7, 2009 fishery guardians from the DFO detachment in Marystown were on routine patrol and observed Mr. Martin illegally catch and bag an Atlantic salmon without attaching a tag. He was charged $1500 and his catch, rod and reel were forfeited by the court.
- On October 28, 2009 in provincial court at Bay d'Espoir, Wayne Coombs of Marystown was convicted of possession of untagged salmon and was subsequently fined $500 and his rod, reel and catch were forfeited by the court. On July 13, 2009 while on patrol at Northwest Brook, Bay d'Espoir, fishery guardians from the DFO detachment in Harbour Breton conducted an inspection of Mr. Coombs and discovered the infraction.
- On October 28, 2009 in provincial court at Bay d'Espoir, Kenneth Drew of Conne River was convicted of possession of untagged Atlantic salmon. Mr. Drew was fined $500 and his rod, reel and catch was forfeited by the court.
- On December 2, 2009 in provincial court at Grand Bank, Alester Pike of Labrador City was convicted of providing a false statement to a fishery guardian. On June 28, 2009 fishery guardians from the DFO detachment in Marystown were conducting a routine inspection and found Mr. Pike in possession of one Atlantic salmon after he advised the fishery guardians that he did not catch any salmon that day. He was subsequently fined $500 and his catch of one Atlantic salmon was forfeited by the court.
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 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-10-05
