January 28, 2015 - Moncton, New Brunswick
Changes in the way Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) patrolled the 2014 fall lobster fishery in PEI resulted in focused coverage on the water and several charges for illegal activity in a contentious area.
Modifications were made to how fishery officers were assigned and in the surveillance tactics used. Emphasis was placed on more strategic enforcement, including covert activities. Fishery officers and vessels from other provinces were occasionally sent to PEI. Officers had access to the 14-metre, in-shore patrol vessel CCGS S. Dudka, a boat known for having greater range than its predecessors. As well, an airplane equipped with thermal-image photography capabilities as well as other vessels and surveillance resources were available to the department.
In 2014, the department’s patrol capacity in Atlantic Canada was also enhanced through the use of three new mid-shore patrol vessels. These 43-metre vessels have enhanced the department’s surveillance and enforcement capability in all fisheries. The CCGS A. LeBlanc, based in Quebec City, and the CCGS G. Peddle, based in Halifax, were both used around the shores of Prince Edward Island during the fall of 2014.
Requests from the fishing industry for more focused patrols helped reshape the approach to conservation and protection.
One example of a strategically-managed scenario occurred in western PEI in September, when a single operation resulted in charges laid against several lobster licence holders for fishing in closed areas. This resulted from complaints that some lobster harvesters from area 25 in western PEI were fishing in closed zones in area 23 in New Brunswick and in area 24 off northern PEI. Areas 23 and 24 are only open for lobster fishing in the spring.
Court appearances related to the fall lobster operation in western PEI are set for March 2015.
“We are carrying out our enforcement activities more strategically, working with industry and putting our resources where they are needed. The investment in new patrol vessels is an example of how we are providing the tools necessary for fishery officers to do their work and protect Canada’s valuable fish resources.”
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Regional Minister for PEI and Member of Parliament for Egmont
“I would like to commend the Minister as well as Conservation and Protection officers for listening to industry and providing the necessary resources to combat illegal fishing activity. The action taken by the Minister and DFO officials illustrates their commitment to prosecute those who wish to fish illegally.”
Craig Avery, President of the P.E.I. Fishermen's Association
- More information on vessels which have recently been put into service is available here.
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For more information:
Sophie Doucet
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474
Krista Petersen
Communications Advisor
Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Gulf Region
506-851-7171
Krista.Petersen@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
NR-G-15-01E
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