Illegal fishing activity was especially rampant in Newfoundland and Labrador during the three-month period from July to September 2016, with six individuals committing 21 violations involving species such as lobster, herring, turbot, Atlantic salmon and Atlantic cod.
Transgressions in recreational fisheries as well as against seals were also recorded, bringing the total amount of fines issued for fishing violations over the three-month period to CAD 16,500 (USD 12,284, EUR 11,070). One individual was sentenced to 21 days in jail for poaching from a net and illegally possessing Atlantic salmon, said the Government of Canada.
Specifics about each conviction can be found below:
- Atlantic salmon: Charles Dominaux of Bay L’Argent was sentenced to 21 days of incarceration for netting coastal salmon and for possession of salmon caught in contravention of the Fisheries Act.
- 4R cod: Chester Davis of L’Anse-au-Loup was fined CAD 1,000 (USD 744, EUR 671) for inaccurate fishing logs.
- Turbot: Chester Davis of L’Anse-au-Loup was fined CAD 9,000 (USD 6,699, EUR 6,040) for exceeding the turbot quota and for inaccurate fishing logs. He is prohibited from transferring his license until fines are paid.
- Lobster and bait: John Peters of Melrose was fined CAD 250 (USD 186, EUR 167) for possession of v-notch lobster. Garwin White of Trout River was fined CAD 2,400 (USD 1,786; EUR 1,610) for unlawfully leaving fishing gear unattended and for fishing without valid tags attached and readily visible. He is prohibited from the 2017 lobster fishery for 14 days. He was also fined CAD 300 (USD 223, EUR 201) for a gear infraction in the bait fishery, and for failing to carry a license in the lobster and bait fishery.
- Herring: Garwin White of Trout River was fined CAD 300 (USD 223, EUR 201) for exceeding the maximum gillnet mesh size, for failing to have the head ropes of the gillnet set at least one fathom below the surface, and for failing to have the gillnet set parallel to the shore.
- Seal: Chester Davis of L’Anse-au-Loup was fined CAD 1,200 (USD 893, EUR 805) for inhumane harvesting of seals. He is prohibited from sealing for one year.
- Recreational scallop: Craig Cornish of Francois was fined CAD 1,000 (USD 744, EUR 671) for exceeding the daily harvest limit of 50 scallops. He forfeited all scallops and a rake and is prohibited from applying for or possessing a recreational scallop license for three years.
- Recreational groundfish: William Hann of Trout River was fined CAD 500 (USD 372, EUR 335) for fishing Atlantic cod in a closed time. He forfeited a rod and reel and is prohibited from recreational fishing from 1 April, 2017 to 30 September, 2017. George Atkins of Port Saunders was fined CAD 750 (USD 558; EUR 503) for obstructing a fishery officer. He forfeited fish and all seized items. He is prohibited from the recreational groundfish fishery for one year.
