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On Sunday, May 29, 2005, Canadian Fishery Officers and crew from the CCGS Leonard J. Cowley intercepted and seized the Portuguese Fishing Vessel Santa Mafalda and arrested its master in Canadian waters south of Newfoundland and Labrador.
This operational activity stems from an incident in May, 2003, as a result of which the Santa Mafalda and its master were charged for unauthorized entry and fishing in Canada’s Exclusive Economic Zone within Canada’s 200 mile limit. It was only a few days ago that the Santa Mafalda returned to Canadian waters for the first time since the alleged violations occurred two years ago.
The Santa Mafalda was enroute from St. Pierre et Miquelon to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Regulatory Area, outside Canada’s 200-mile limit, when it was intercepted by the Cowley on Sunday evening. The seizure of the vessel was without incident, and the Santa Mafalda, under Canadian control, was escorted by the Cowley to St. John’s, arriving on Monday, May 30.
The seizure of the Santa Mafalda and arrest of the master is the result of an investigation that concluded that the vessel was fishing in Canadian fisheries waters (inside Canada’s 200-mile limit), without authorization on May 14, 2003. Any encroachment inside Canadian fisheries waters without authorization is an offence under the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act (CFPA).
The master of the Santa Mafalda was charged in November, 2003 with unauthorized entry and fishing in Canadian fisheries waters under sections 4(1) and 17 of the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act. At the time the charges were laid, the vessel was no longer in Canadian jurisdiction so no further action could be taken at that time. This is the first time that the vessel has entered Canadian jurisdiction since the charges were laid.
This operation is in response to illegal fishing within Canadian waters and is not related to high seas fisheries governance in the NAFO Regulatory Area. Illegal fishing by foreign vessels in Canadian waters is very rare. If convicted under the CFPA, the master of the Santa Mafalda could be fined up to $100,000 on the charge of unauthorized entry and fined up to $150,000 on the charge of unauthorized fishing.
The vessel will remain under seizure pending the posting of a bond to secure its release. This could occur after the matter is brought before Provincial Court in St. John’s.
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Jan Woodford
Regional Director of Communications
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Newfoundland and Labrador
(709) 772-7622 |
Sujata Raisinghani
Press Secretary, Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
(613) 992-3474 |
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