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ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
is pleased with the level of compliance in the 2006 Newfoundland and Labrador Recreational
Groundfish Fishery.
"Public response was very positive," said the Minister. "I have always believed
strongly in the right of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to catch a meal of
fish. Those who participated were very pleased with the opportunity to do just that."
A review of the fishery estimates that 99,000 people fished province-wide, taking
an estimated 498 tonnes of Atlantic cod. Regulations such as daily catch limits
and gear restrictions were effective management measures.
"I was very encouraged by the fact that people wanted a successful fishery and
publicly expressed little tolerance for abuse," said Minister Hearn. "Compliance
with regulations was high because people realized it was important to obey conservation
measures."
Fishery officers monitored the fishery for compliance, participation and catch
estimation. Approximately 4,500 enforcement hours were directed towards the 2006
recreational cod fishery, including approximately 100 hours of air surveillance,
3,700 hours of vehicle and vessel patrols, resulting in 2,450 boat and 5,800 person
inspections.
Forty violations were detected and charges have been laid, or are pending, in
24 of these cases. The remaining violations were addressed through written warnings.
"This was the first year since 2001 that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians didn’t
require a recreational groundfish licence and tags in order to fish," said Minister
Hearn. "The success of this fishery will be taken into account in developing a consistent
Atlantic-wide recreational licencing program."
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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Steve Outhouse
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa
613-992-3474
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NR-NL-07-09E |
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