December 4, 2013
MONCTON, New Brunswick – Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Gulf Region, announced today 16 individuals have been fined for fishing violations in Eastern New Brunswick. The fines total $32,772.
Herring and halibut
On October 28, 2013, Paul-André David of Pigeon Hill, was fined $1,300 for fishing herring over the daily quota limit and $500 for failing to comply to conditions of licence. Mr. David was also fined $500 for using more hooks than the limit permitted in the halibut fishery and an additional $500 for fishing while the season was closed. The fines total $2,800.
Lobster
On November 13, 2013, Gérald Power of Québec City, Québec pleaded guilty to three counts of illegal fishing and one count related to the Motor Vehicle Act of New Brunswick. Mr. Power pleaded guilty to the following charges: being in possession of 26 lobsters harvested illegally; being in possession of nine lobsters under the minimal length; and refusing to stop when asked by a peace officer. The fines total $5,100. All catches and his pontoon were confiscated.
On October 24, 2013, Mr. Leigh Stright of Little Shemogue pleaded guilty to possession of a female lobster of size greater than the legal length of 114 mm in Lobster Fishing Area 25. He was fined $500.
On October 16, 2013, Mr. Pea Breau of Neguac pleaded guilty to being in possession of twelve lobster claws separated from the carapace. Fishery officers found twelve additional lobster claws that did not match the lobster caught. He was fined $2,000.
On September 11, 2013, Steeve Gagnon of Six Roads pleaded guilty to two counts of illegally harvesting lobster when the fishery was closed and to being in possession of an egg-bearing lobster. He was fined $1,000 in total and his diving equipment was confiscated.
Shellfish
On November 12, 2013, Alvin Doiron of Bas-Caraquet was fined $600 for exceeding the daily catch limit of soft-shell clams set at 100.
On October 31, 2013, Abbé Doiron of Bas-Caraquet was fined $550 in total for three offences related to harvesting soft-shell clams: exceeding the daily catch limit of quahogs set at 100; obstruction of a peace officer; and making a false statement to a fishery officer.
On October 22, 2013, Elisabeth Gauvin of Bas-Caraquet was fined $320 for exceeding the daily catch limit of soft-shell clams set at 100.
On September 17, 2013, Jemmy Power of Caraquet was fined $600 for harvesting oysters without a permit and for harvesting shellfish in a contaminated area.
On August 27, 2013, Louis Vienneau of Rough Water was fined $250 for exceeding the daily catch limit of soft-shell clams set at 100 and obstruction of a peace officer.
On August 20, 2013, Denis Power of Caraquet and Jason Robert Landry of Village Blanchard were fined $1084 each for exceeding the daily catch limit of soft-shell clams set at 100.
On August 20, 2013, Herménégille Richard of Haut-Sheila was fined $600 for exceeding the daily catch limit of soft-shell clams set at 100.
On August 20, 2013, Kim Gérard Louis Fillion of Caraquet was fined $284 for exceeding the daily catch limit of soft-shell clams set at 100.
Atlantic salmon
On September 30, 2013, three New Brunswick residents were fined by Judge Geri A. Mahoney for Atlantic salmon violations. The fines total $16,000.
The offences were committed during the summer of 2012 by Christopher Frank Larry of Natoaganeg First Nation (Eel Ground), Kevin Cloud and Robert Samuel Ward Norton Paul of Metepanagiag First Nation (Red Bank).
All three individuals pleaded guilty to four charges: fishing with a gillnet in waters where the use of that gear or method of fishing was not permitted; retaining salmon with valid salmon tags; setting a gillnet in such a manner that one-third of the width of the river was not left open; and possession of salmon caught in contravention of the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licences Regulations. All catches were confiscated.
Mr. Larry was given a $2,000 fine for each of the above charges. His fines total $8,000. Mr. Cloud was given a $1,000 fine for each of the above charges. His fines total $4,000. Mr. Paul was given a $1,000 fine for each of the above charges. His fines total $4,000.
A joint operation by the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources conservation officers and fishery officers from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Gulf Region, led to the charges laid against these individuals.
The Government of Canada is committed to safeguarding the long-term health and productivity of Canada’s fisheries resources, and the habitat that supports them, for generations to come. Fisheries and Oceans Canada has a mandate to protect and conserve marine resources and to prosecute offenders under the Fisheries Act. It ensures and promotes compliance with the Act and other laws and regulations through a combination of land, air, and sea patrols, as well as education and awareness activities.
Anyone wishing to report suspicious fishing activity or habitat violations is asked to contact their nearest Fisheries and Oceans office, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, visit http://www.crimenb.ca or text TIP212 to 274637.
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