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Agreement strengthens DFO’s commitment to shared stewardship
Indian Bay compliance monitors given limited enforcement powers
St. John’s … Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is partnering with the Indian Bay Ecosystem Corporation (IBEC) to assist in the conservation and protection of the recreational fishery in the Indian Bay and Southwest Pond watershed areas by increasing monitoring and surveillance activities.
The compliance monitor pilot project was launched July 2, 2003 with the signing of a Joint Project Agreement between DFO and IBEC. The agreement provides two compliance monitors employed by the corporation with limited fishery guardian enforcement powers. These individuals recently completed a fishery guardian training program. The compliance monitors will not be armed, and their enforcement powers will be restricted to the Indian Bay-Southwest Pond watershed area. They will, however, liaise with the DFO project co-ordinator on a regular basis to maximize patrol effectiveness.
This agreement increases the enforcement presence in the Indian Bay-Southwest Pond watershed areas by having the compliance monitors undertake routine patrols and low risk monitoring and surveillance duties. They will conduct patrols during the summer and winter angling seasons, and will inspect recreational fishers, their gear and bags, as well as document, report and take initial action when encountering suspicious activity. They may also be called upon to assist with patrols or investigations being conducted by fishery guardians and fishery officers who will also continue their work in the area.
This agreement is an example of shared stewardship, and is another step forward in DFO’s ongoing commitment to providing a greater role for user groups in the conservation and protection of salmonids in Newfoundland and Labrador.
For more information:
Jerry Walsh
Area Chief, Conservation and Protection
Eastern and Southern Area
(709) 772-5857
John Waterman
President
Indian Bay Ecosystem Corporation
(709) 678-6203
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