IN THE COURTS: Thousands in fines handed out

$6,000 in fines for salmon violations

SPRINGDALE, N.L. - Clyde Oxford and Elmo Oxford, both of Springdale, N.L. were convicted on Dec. 4 in Springdale provincial court of failing to release by-catch of salmon and possession of illegal fish. These individuals were fined $1500 for each offence, for a total fine of $3,000 for each individual.

In addition, six salmon and two nets seized at the time of the offence were forfeited to the Crown.

These violations were observed near Hall’s Bay on July 11, 2007 by fishery officers and fishery guardians from the Springdale Detachment.





$4,500 fine for lobster violations

GRAND BANK, N.L. - Leander Pike of Harbour Mille, N.L. was convicted on Dec. 7 in Grand Bank provincial court of possession of female v-notched lobster and fined $4,000. He was also fined $500 for possession of female lobster bearing eggs.

On May 10, 2007 fishery officers from the Marystown Detachment, on patrol in Harbour Mille, inspected a lobster buyer who purchased lobster from Pike. The inspection revealed a quantity of egg bearing and v-notched female lobster, which were seized by the officers and returned to the water.





$2000 fine for crab violation

ST. JOHN’S, NL - Brian Clowe of Ferryland, N.L. was fined $2,000 for possession of undersized crab on Nov. 2 in St. John’s provincial court and forfeited 37 pounds of undersized crab to the Crown.

On June 6, 2007, fishery officers from the Bay Roberts Detachment carried out a routine inspection of Clowe’s vessel and found undersized crab intermixed in the total catch.