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Convictions for poaching in a closed salmon river
and violating cod “buddy-up” arrangement
PORT AU CHOIX, NL – Investigations carried out by fishery officers and fishery guardians in Port au Choix have resulted in several convictions for illegal salmon and cod fishing activity on the Great Northern Peninsula.
On September 3, 2005, Sheldon Perry, formerly of Hawke’s Bay, was apprehended by two fishery guardians after he was observed using a net to poach salmon in Goose Nest Brook, a tributary of Little Brook Ponds River, near the community of Hawke’s Bay. When approached by the fishery guardians Mr. Perry fled the area on foot. He was pursued, caught and, after a struggle, subdued by the fishery guardians.
Mr. Perry was convicted of netting salmon in a scheduled salmon river and obstructing fishery guardians. He was fined $2,500, placed on probation for three years and not permitted within 300 metres of inland waters. The judge also ordered Mr. Perry not to enter the province unless all fines were paid and to advise DFO when visiting the province, unless for emergency.
A net, four fish pans and five Atlantic salmon were seized. Four of the salmon were released back into the brook; with the remainder forfeited to the Crown.
Little Brook Ponds River is a scheduled salmon river that has been closed to angling for conservation reasons.
Fines for fishing salmon in coastal waters
On June 11, 2005, fishery officers and guardians from the Port Au Choix office observed, Gerald Hatcher, of Hawke’s Bay, along with another man, fishing and catching Atlantic salmon in coastal waters near the community of Hawke’s Bay.
Mr. Hatcher was convicted of fishing salmon in coastal waters during a closed time and fishing without a licence. He was fined $600, placed on probation for one year and prohibited from being on coastal waters while under the influence of alcohol. His accomplice was convicted during an earlier court appearance and received a $4,500.00 fine, forfeiture of a 25 ft boat, two motors, four gillnets, and all gear and equipment.
Fishers violate “buddy-up”
Three commercial fishers from Port au Choix have been convicted in separate incidents of violating conditions of the cod “buddy-up” option, a voluntary combining arrangement for fishers whereby a single vessel can be used by two licence holders.
George Hamlyn was fined $500 for violating the arrangement. He was also convicted of providing a fishery officer with a logbook containing false and misleading information pertaining to his catch. He was fined $572, the value of 1,430 lbs of cod.
Harrison Kelly was convicted of violating the cod “buddy-up” arrangement on two separate occasions. Mr. Kelly also pled guilty to producing a logbook containing misleading information. He was fined $500, plus the value of 2,280 lbs of cod totaling $912.
Donald Francis was convicted of three separate incidents for violating the “buddy-up” arrangement. He was fined a total of $926.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada introduced “buddy-up” as a short-term measure to address economic challenges in the fishery by providing fishers opportunity to achieve efficiencies and cost savings.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada introduced “buddy-up” as a short-term measure to address economic challenges in the fishery by providing fishers opportunity to achieve efficiencies and cost savings.
For more information:
Kim Penney
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(709) 772-7629
Sam Whiffen
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(709) 772-7631
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