NR-M-98-25E
FISHERIES CRACKDOWN: FIRST CASE LEADS TO PENALTIES OVER $65,000
July 31, 1998
HALIFAX -- David Anderson, Minister
of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced that Gerald Clifford Goreham will
pay over $65,450 in fines and restitution after being convicted of misreporting
catches in the herring fishery off the coastal waters of Nova Scotia. The
fishing vessel involved, the Island Pride No. 1, is owned by Island Pride
Fisheries of Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia. This is the first conviction
resulting from DFO´s new forensic investigations initiative.
As you can see from the dollar value involved,
this is far from a so-called petty crime, said Mr. Anderson. The implications
of misreported catches for conservation are extremely serious. This kind
of behaviour cannot be tolerated by anyone who is committed to conservation.
A three-year investigation, dating back
to the fall of 1995, confirmed that between September 13, 1995 and November
8, 1995, Mr.Goreham, using the vessel Island Pride No.1, consistently landed
significantly more herring than reported. On average, landings were 24
% higher than reported.
Under the Atlantic Fisheries Regulations,
seiner captains are required to accurately determine the weight of the
herring they catch at the time it is landed. On August 14, 1997, Mr. Goreham
was charged with ten counts of failing to accurately determine the weight
of the herring landed. On July 30, 1998, Mr. Goreham, the captain of the
Island Pride No.1, entered a plea of guilty to the ten counts. Judge Robert
E. Prince sentenced Mr. Goreham to pay a penalty of $30,000 in fines, plus
repayment in full of the gross profits from the unreported herring some
$35,450 for a total of approximately $65,450.
A multi-disciplinary team of DFO employees
fishery officers assisted by in-house expertise in accounting and informatics
helped solidify the case against Mr. Goreham. Using a procedure known
as "forensic accounting," these investigative teams carry out financial
analyses and other accounting procedures to gather evidence that can be
used to obtain convictions in court.
Other investigations are underway and additional
charges are anticipated in the coming months. Details will be made available
following the outcome of the court proceedings.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Ted Maher
Conservation and Protection
Fisheries and Oceans
Maritimes Region
Halifax, N.S.
(902) 426 - 2392
Catherine Clute
Communications
Fisheries and Oceans
Maritimes Region
Halifax., N.S
(902) 426-6595
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