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Salmon poacher nets jail time
St. John’s … A Hare Bay man will spend 30 days in jail after being convicted of netting salmon in inland waters.
Corwin Lee Smith was convicted in Gander Provincial Court September 8, 2004. A second man involved in the incident, Boyce Marvin Vivian, also of Hare Bay, was convicted of the same offence, and fined $2,000. Each man is prohibited from being within 30 meters of inland and coastal waters for two years. A 15ft open boat and contents, a 45 hp motor and one salmon net were ordered forfeited to the Crown.
DFO fishery guardians from the Clarenville detachment located an illegally set salmon net while on a routine patrol in the area of Freshwater Bay, Bonavista Bay July 3, 2003. The guardians set up surveillance of the area, and observed the two individuals haul the net from the water and place a salmon aboard their boat. They were later apprehended and charged.
In handing down her sentence, Judge Gloria Harding took into account Smith’s prior salmon convictions where he was sentenced to 14 days for jigging salmon and obstruction in 1991, and fined $3,000 for netting inland waters in 1998.
Robert McGrath and Arthur Nash, both of Branch, were convicted in Placentia Provincial Court September 7, 2004 of netting inland waters.
They were each fined $1,000, and are prohibited from fishing any species of fish for a period of two years. Two salmon nets were ordered forfeited to the Crown.
A fishery guardian conducting a late night surveillance July 4, 2004 observed the men netting the lower section of the Branch River. They were apprehended before any salmon could be taken.
Illegal fishing activity, recreational or commercial, should be reported to the nearest DFO detachment, or by calling the 24-hour Crime Stoppers number 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Callers remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display.
For more information:
Kimberley Penney
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(709) 772-7629
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