June 30, 2010
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR – Provincial courts convicted five individuals of fishery violations.
- On September 16, 2009, in provincial court at Grand Bank Gerard Benteau of Point May was convicted for possession of undersized and V-notched lobsters and was fined $5500. On June 15, 2009, fishery officers of the Marystown Detachment conducted an inspection of a fishing vessel returning to port in Grand Bank. They discovered 11 lobsters in Mr. Benteau's possession. All 11 lobsters were undersized and one female was also V-notched.
- On January 22, 2010, in provincial court at St. John's Alfred Hayward of St. Vincents was convicted of fishing cod during a closed time. Mr. Hayward was fined $500 and prohibited from participating in the recreational groundfish fishery during the 2010 season. Three cod fish, one cast rod, reel, line and lure were forfeited. On July 17, 2009, fishery officers from the Placentia Detachment observed Mr. Hayward fishing at Holyrood pond, St. Vincents and discovered the violation.
- On February 23, 2010, in provincial court at Grand Bank, Ricky Frampton, of Burin, was convicted of fishing from a vessel unauthorized in his licence, offloading snow crab without the presence of a dockside observer and providing false or misleading information to fishery officers. Mr. Frampton was fined $2000 and 5012 pounds of snow crab, valued at $7615.90 were forfeited. On April 28, 2009, fishery officers from the Marystown Detachment were conducting a vessel patrol of Placentia Bay. They observed an unoccupied vessel, Sylvia Jenna, which belonged to Mr. Frampton. A second inspection of the vessel revealed crab onboard, which was determined to have been caught on another vessel and transferred.
- On February 27, 2010, in provincial court at St. John's Neil Squires of Yellowknife was convicted of fishing for cod during the closed season. Mr. Squires was fined $1200, prohibited from fishing in Canadian Fishing Waters for a 12-month period and his fishing rod, reel and catch were forfeited by the court. On August 17, 2009, fishery officers from the Bay Roberts Detachment were conducting patrol in Portugal Cove and observed the violation.
- On March 9, 2010, in provincial court at Placentia Dermot Dohey of St. Bride's was convicted of offloading groundfish without the presence of a dockside observer and failing to report the trip summary of the vessel's fishing activity before landing at port. Mr. Dohey was fined $900. On October 23, 2010, fishery officers from the Placentia Detachment were conducting surveillance in the St. Bride's area. They observed Mr. Dohey onboard his vessel processing cod fish. Upon further investigation, fishery officers discovered Mr. Dohey did not hail-in his fishing trip.
Commercial, Aboriginal and recreational fishing is an important part of community life and the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Reporting illegal activities is critical to conserving and protecting resources.
Report suspicious fishing activity. Call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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For more information:
Michele Boriel
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(709) 772-4116
NR-NL-10-14E
