Company fined for illegal lobsters

Amy Woolvett

THE COAST GUARD

NovaNewsNow.com

A Gunning Cove company was fined in Yarmouth court last Tuesday for the possession of illegal lobsters.

On December 1,2006 fishery officers conducted an inspection of lobsters held in a holding facility in Gunning Cove.

Stacey and Curtis fisheries Limited was found to be in possession of egged female lobsters and undersized lobsters.

Both the company and two fishermen were charged on June 12, 2007.

It was during court that the company pled guilty to section 33 of the fisheries act, that states it is illegal to buy, sell or possess lobsters in contravention of the fisheries act.

After the company’s guilty plea, all charges were withdrawn from the fishers and the company received a fine totaling $3,500.

“This is an example of where both fishers and buyers have to take more care and concern to make sure that these types of lobsters stay in the water and don’t make it to market,” said Department of Fishery and Oceans Officer, Chris Speary reminding that egged female lobsters and undersized lobsters are the future of the lobster industry.