MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK – Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Gulf Region, announced today a New Brunswick lobster harvester has been fined and suspended from fishing for an offence related to the lobster fishery under the Fisheries Act.
On Monday, October 15, Scott Somerville of Esgenoôpetitj (Burnt Church) pleaded guilty to the offence of failing to immediately return to the water lobster less than 71 mm in carapace length. He had 73 undersized lobsters.
Judge Denis Lordon ordered Somerville to pay a fine of $7,000 and prohibited him from fishing lobster during the first 10 days of the 2013 season in Lobster Fishing Area 23.
Conservation measures exist to protect and rebuild fish stocks so that sustainable fishing resources can be enjoyed by communities for generations to come.
Anyone wishing to report suspicious fishing activity or habitat violations is asked to either contact their nearest Fisheries and Oceans Canada office, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or visit http://www.crimenb.ca, or text TIP212 to CRIMES (274637).
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For more information:
Steve Hachey
Communications Advisor
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Gulf Region
1-506-851-7045
Steve.hachey@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Krista Petersen
Communications Advisor
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Gulf Region
1-506-851-7171
Krista.petersen@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
