FISHERMAN FINED FOR ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF LOBSTERS

TRACADIE-SHEILA- The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Eastern New Brunswick area office in TracadieSheila, today disclosed that Daniel Doucet from Petit-Rocher, N.B., a class "A" commercial lobster licensed fisherman, was fined one thousand fifty dollars ($1,050) by Judge Frederic Arseneault for illegal possession of lobsters and obstruction of a fishery officer. In addition, Mr. Doucet will be unable to fish for the first 30 days of the 1997 lobster season.

Mr. Doucet was found guilty in Provincial Court in Bathurst, N.B., on June 12, 1996, on a charge of possession of lobsters in a closed area contrary to section 57(1)(b) of the Atlantic Fishery Regulations 1985, and also of obstructing a fishery officer while carrying out his duties contrary to section 62 of the Fisheries Act. These violations occurred on November 1, 1995. Furthermore, pursuant to section 79.1 of the Fisheries Act, the judge prohibited the licensee from applying for his lobster licence for the first thirty (30) days of the 1997 lobster season in fishing area 23.

Mr. Doucet was apprehended during an enforcement operation conducted by fishery officers from DFO's, Bathurst District office.

For information:

Raoul Breault
Area Chief, Conservation and Protection
Fisheries and Oceans
Tracadie-Sheila, N.B.
(506) 395-7711

Communications Branch
Fisheries and Oceans
Maritimes Region, Gulf Fisheries
Moncton, N.B.
(506) 851-7747