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Fishery officers on joint patrol chase down lobster poachers
Clarenville – A joint patrol carried out by fishery officers of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Clarenville Detachment and provincial conservation officers from the Department of Natural Resources has resulted in a conviction for illegal lobster fishing.
Gerard Walsh, of Summerville, Bonavista Bay, was convicted in provincial court in Clarenville on May 30, 2006, for possession of undersized lobster and fishing without a lobster licence.
On July 1, 2005, fishery officers and conservation officers, aboard a DFO vessel, were carrying out a joint patrol in the vicinity of Plate Cove, Bonavista Bay.
As the officers approached a small open boat with two individuals aboard, it began to steam away at high speed. The officers gave pursuit; during which, the individuals began discarding lobster pots over the side of their vessel. The chase ended shortly afterwards with Mr. Walsh and the second individual apprehended after halting their attempted getaway.
An inspection of the vessel found one undersized, cooked lobster.
Mr. Walsh was fined $1,500. A 16 ft boat, motor and contents of the boat were forfeited to the Crown. The second person, a young offender, was also fined $1,500.
Conservation measures, such as prohibitions against harvesting undersized and V-notched lobster, ensure that lobster stocks and the fishery are protected for the future.
V-notching is a voluntarily practice performed by commercial lobster fishers in which the tails of egg-bearing female lobsters are notched with a special tool, making them illegal to harvest for several years.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada reminds the public that possession of undersized and V-notched lobster is illegal and punishable by law.
For more information:
Sam Whiffen
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(709) 772-7631
Susan Keough
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(709) 772-7628
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