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Crime Stoppers tip fishery officers to lobster violations
Stephenville… A commercial lobster fisherman from the Port au Port Peninsula has had his licence suspended. Michael Gillis, of Lourdes, was convicted in Stephenville Provincial Court for possession of undersized lobster and V-notched female lobster.
Acting on a tip received through Crime Stoppers that a fisher was bringing small lobsters ashore; fishery officers from the Stephenville Detachment conducted surveillance in the Highlands area and apprehended Mr. Gillis on June 25, 2005.
An inspection of Mr. Gillis’ dory by fishery officers found a fish box containing 89 undersized lobsters and a second fish box containing legal sized lobsters. Upon inspection of the legal sized lobsters, officers discovered two V-notched lobsters. Fisheries regulations prohibit the possession of undersized and V-notched lobster, which must be returned to the ocean when caught. All undersized and V-notched lobsters seized in the incident were returned to the water.
Mr. Gillis had his lobster licence suspended for two years and fined $300. The 43 lbs of legal lobster seized were forfeited to the Crown.
V-notching is a voluntarily practice amongst commercial lobster fishers whereby one in four egg-bearing female lobsters is notched with a special tool that cuts a V shape from the section of the tail fan. The lobster is then carefully returned to the water. V-notching remains clearly visible for several years, and allows the female to grow larger, spawn several times and produce more and better quality eggs.
Hugh Blanchard and Dwayne Benoit, of Stephenville Crossing, were convicted of possessing undersized lobster and obstructing a fishery officer. Mr. Blanchard was fined $2,400 and given a one week suspension effective at the start of the lobster fishing season. Mr. Benoit was fined $500.
A fishery officer passing through Stephenville Crossing on June 6, 2005, noticed a vessel with two occupants steaming in from Bay St. George and landing on a nearby beach.
When approached, Mr. Blanchard headed back to his boat, while the other occupant Mr. Benoit proceeded to dump lobsters over the side, therefore obstructing the fishery officer from performing a duty to measure the lobsters. The fishery officer ventured into the water and retrieved eight lobsters, all undersized.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada would like to remind the public that buying or possessing illegally caught lobster is a crime and punishable in a court of law. We appreciate your support in the conservation of the lobster resource.
For more information:
Sam Whiffen
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(709) 772-7631
Kim Penney
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(709) 772-7629
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