Tracadie-Sheila (N.B.) – The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Gulf Region, today announced the sentence imposed to a man for being in possession of female lobster with eggs attached and for fishing for lobster during a close time, contrary to sections 59 (3) and 57 (1)(a) of the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985.
On August 17, 2010, Gilles Thériault of Caraquet, New Brunswick, pleaded guilty in Caraquet provincial court to being in possession of 33 illegally caught lobsters, 16 of which were females with eggs attached. Judge Steven Hutchinson of the provincial court fined him $2000 for possession of the female lobsters and $1000 for fishing unlawfully.
On the morning of July 13, fisheries officers from the Caraquet detachment saw Thériault in a diving suit heading toward Caraquet Island in a boat. From an observation post, they then saw him leave the island and return to the mainland. As soon as he arrived, the officers intercepted him and discovered the 33 lobster.
DFO is committed to the conservation and protection of marine resources in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Anyone wishing to report suspicious fishing activities may do so by contacting their nearest DFO office, or by contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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For more information:
Michel Thérien
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Communications Branch
Moncton, N.B.
506-851-7704
John St-Coeur
Chief, Conservation and Protection
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Tracadie-Sheila, N.B.
506-395-7711
NR-G-10-08-E
