Salmon and Cod Violations Result in Heavy Fines and Jail Time
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR - Ten individuals were recently convicted of Atlantic salmon and cod violations following investigations by Fisheries and Oceans Canada fishery officers and guardians, reports www.megafishnet.com with reference to Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
On February 9, 2010, in provincial court at Springdale, Stanley and Shawn Giles of Harbour Round were convicted of catching Atlantic salmon illegally. The two men were observed using a dip net by fishery guardians from the Springdale detachment during a fisheries patrol in the Black Brook area on August 20, 2009. Stanley Giles was sentenced to two months in jail and prohibited from being within twenty metres of inland water for two years. Shawn Giles was convicted of jigging salmon in inland waters and willfully disturbing salmon in inland waters. He was fined $1900, prohibited from being within twenty metres of inland waters for one year and his fly rod and reel were forfeited by the court.
On December 21, 2009, in provincial court at Grand Falls-Windsor, Ryan Sing and Gilbert Budgell of Botwood were convicted of jigging Atlantic salmon in inland waters and possession of untagged salmon. Mr. Sing was fined $1800, prohibited from fishing inland waters for two years and forfeited two salmon and three trout. Mr. Budgell was fined $1750, prohibited from fishing inland waters for one year and his fishing gear was forfeited by the court. The infractions were observed on July 24, 2009, by fishery guardians from the Springdale detachment during a surveillance operation near Peter's River, Peterview.
On February 2, 2010, in provincial court at Springdale, Ricky Mitchell of Burlington was convicted of jigging fish in inland waters and fined $1200. Mr. Mitchell was also prohibited from fishing inland waters for one year and his fly rod and reel were forfeited by the court. On July 20, 2009, a fishery officer and guardian from the Springdale detachment observed the violation following reports of poaching activity on the Burlington River.
On December 21, 2009, in provincial court at Grand Falls-Windsor, Kevin Stuckless of Point Leamington was convicted of retaining more than the daily limit of Atlantic salmon and possession of untagged salmon. He was fined $1000, prohibited from purchasing a salmon licence for one year, prohibited from fishing in inland waters for two years and forfeited three salmon and fishing gear. On July 16, 2009, fishery guardians from the Springdale detachment were on patrol near the Point Leamington River and discovered the violations.
On January 26, 2010, in provincial court at Gander, Lester King and Tony Philpott of Cottlesville, Notre Dame Bay, were convicted of exceeding the daily bag limit during the recreational groundfish fishery. Both individuals were fined $450, prohibited from taking part in the 2010 recreational groundfish fishery and were required to forfeit their catch. Fishery officers from the Twillingate detachment discovered the infraction on July 25, 2009, the first day of the recreational groundfish fishery.
On December 21, 2009, in provincial court at Grand Falls-Windsor, Earle Pryor of Winterton and William Blackwood of St. John's were convicted of possession of improperly tagged salmon. Both individuals were fined $250 and forfeited their catch and fishing gear. Fishery officers from the Springdale detachment were conducting a patrol on the Exploits River on July 8, 2009, when the violation was detected.
Conservation measures exist to protect and rebuild fish stocks so that sustainable fishing resources can be enjoyed by communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador for generations to come. Report suspicious fishing activities by contacting the nearest DFO office or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), www.nlcrimestoppers.com, or text TIP190 and your message to 274637 (crimes).