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Breaches against lobster conservation measures
Gander - A covert patrol by Glovertown-based DFO fishery officers in Bonavista Bay North has resulted in the conviction of two fishers for violating lobster conservation regulations.
On May 14, 2006, fishery officers inspected the vessels of two lobster fishers returning to their homeports in the communities of Greenspond and Wesleyville.
Raymond Burry, of Greenspond, was found in possession of one V-notched lobster and one egg-bearing female lobster (berried lobster), both illegal to possess. Eugene Stagg, of Wesleyville, was in possession of one V-notched lobster.
Mr. Burry was fined $1,000 and Mr. Stagg $500 during court appearances in Gander Provincial Court on June 5, 2006.
Fines levied against eel fishers
An incident on the Terra Nova River has resulted in fines for three people from Glovertown, Bonavista Bay, for violating licence conditions of the eel fishery.
On September 7, 2005, fishery officers of the Glovertown office inspected an eel fyke net set on a lower section of the Terra Nova River and discovered the net to be without identification tags—a condition of licence.
The following day, fishery officers staked out an area near the net and apprehended brothers Christopher and Timothy Feltham as they tended to the net. An investigation determined the net was not the property of either man, but belonged to their father Alexander Feltham, the licence holder.
The net contained 12 eels, which were returned to the river.
In Gander Provincial Court on June 13, 2006, Alexander Feltham was convicted of failing to attach identification tags to his eel fyke net and permitting another individual to fish his licence. He was fined $800.
Christopher and Timothy Feltham were convicted of fishing eel without a licence and were fined $500 each.
Fined for participating in recreational protest fishery
Bay Roberts – Gordon Crane, of St. John’s, was found guilty of fishing cod during a closed time and fined $300 in Bay Roberts Provincial Court on June 6, 2006. The conviction resulted from his participation in an illegal recreational cod fishery.
On August 20, 2005, fishery officers from the Bay Roberts Detachment were conducting a vessel patrol in coastal waters along the Southern Shore of the Avalon Peninsula. In the Witless Bay area, two individuals were spotted in a small open boat.
Manoeuvring their patrol vessel alongside, fishery officers counted 12 Atlantic cod, six of which were claimed by Mr. Crane.
Proceeds against a second individual have not concluded.
Fined, boat and fishing gear forfeited
Clarenville – Ian Dunlop, of Southport, Trinity Bay, was convicted in Clarenville Provincial Court on May 31, 2006, for fishing cod during a closed time.
On November 16, 2005, fishery officers from the Clarenville Detachment were conducting a stakeout near the community of Southport and, at approximately 8:00 p.m., observed Mr. Dunlop and two other individuals returning to port.
The officers approached the vessel at the wharf where the individuals had offloaded fishing nets and eight fresh cod fish.
Mr. Dunlop was fined $500. A 23 ft boat, motor, two fishing nets and eight cod were forfeited to the Crown, an approximate value $3500.
The other individuals involved were convicted in Clarenville Provincial Court on March 24, 2006.
For more information:
Susan Keough
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(709) 772-7628
Sam Whiffen
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(709) 772-7631
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