Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) said fisheries officers on patrol in St. Marys Bay, Nova Scotia, boarded a vessel and seized lobster traps over Fisheries Act violations, just weeks after taking separate enforcement action over violations in Newfoundland and Labrador.
DFO reported seizing 29 lobster traps from two individuals after boarding the vessel on 13 August. Both individuals were arrested, and the department said officers released 491 live lobsters back into the ocean.
“As this matter is under investigation, no further comment will be provided,” DFO said.
The action comes a few weeks after DFO reported a separate enforcement action, when it executed search warrants at a residence and local business in Newfoundland and Labrador over the alleged illegal sale of fish harvested via the province’s recreational groundfish fishery.
DFO said that operation resulted in the seizure of a vessel, motor, trailer, and 825 pounds of cod products. It also seized fish processing and packaging equipment, it said.
“All catch from the recreational groundfish fishery is prohibited from being sold, traded, or bartered,” DFO said. “Any sale of fish, including processed fish and fish products, outside the licensed commercial system is illegal.”
