In the courts:

Microchip implanted lobsters lead to convictions

PORT AUX BASQUES, N.L. – Three men from the community of Burnt Islands have been convicted for violating the Fisheries Act related to lobster harvesting.

In May 2008, fishery officers from the Port Aux Basques DFO detachment investigated unmarked lobster traps being set near the community of Burnt Islands. The officers conducted a boat patrol and discovered six unmarked lobster traps.

An enforcement operation was initiated and lobsters implanted with micro clips were placed in each of the six unmarked traps. Fishery officers then conducted a stakeout of the area and observed three individuals hauling two of the untagged traps from the water. A subsequent at-sea inspection recovered all six lobsters that had been implanted with microchips.

Fishery officers patrolled the coastal waters near the community of Burnt Islands and found additional unmarked traps. In total, 13 traps and 54 lobsters were seized as part of this operation.

Recently in provincial court in Port Aux Basques, Everett James was convicted of using untagged traps and possession of lobster caught in contravention of the Fisheries Act, and sentenced to a 14-day licence suspension at the start of the 2009 fishing season. Lobster valued at $297.50 as well as 13 lobster traps were also forfeited.

Wallace James Sr. and Kevin Courtney were also convicted as parties to the offence and each was sentenced to a $500 fine, payable under a Fisheries Act order which stipulates the funds be used to promote conservation and protection of fish habitat in relation to lobster in Western Newfoundland and Labrador, specifically through stewardship activities and events.





$12,815 crab catch forfeited, $2,500 in fines handed out

PLACENTIA, N.L. – A fishermen has been fined $2,500 after pleading guilty to fishing two crab areas at one time and to providing false or misleading information. The value of his seized crab, $12,815.15, has also been forfeited.

In April 2007, fishery officers from the Placentia DFO detachment conducted an inspection on the fishing vessel Selina Mary in St. Bride’s, Placentia Bay.

Fishery officers determined through the vessel monitoring system that the owner, Anthony Barry of St. Bride’s, had fished two separate crab areas at the same time. This was in contravention of his licence conditions. It was also determined that Barry had provided a false or misleading log book for inspection.

He was subsequently charged and his catch was seized.





Lobster with eggs in catch nets fine for fisherman

SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. - A Tignish fisher, caught with female lobsters with eggs attached, was fined $750 in Summerside provincial court. Brian LeClair, 50, pleaded guilty to the charge. He had no previous record.

On June 7, a Department of Fisheries officer inspected LeClair's catch at the Tignish Run and found six female lobster with eggs attached.

His entire catch was seized and sold for $1,153, which was held by the receiver general. He was told in court that he must contact the Crown about getting the money back.





Processing cod on board vessel leads to fines

PLACENTIA, N.L. – Following a stakeout that determined that a fisherman was processing cod on board his vessel, Kenneth King has been fined $1,000 on charges of failing to offload all catch and of processing at sea.

In November 2007, fishery officers from the Placentia detachment conducted a stakeout in the Iona Islands area of Placentia Bay. Using surveillance equipment they were able to determine King was processing cod on board his vessel, The Lady of the Sea, in a nearby cove. This was in contravention of the Fisheries Act. Upon further investigation, King was also found to have failed to offload all catch as per his licence conditions, which resulted in charges and the seizure of 40 pounds of cod fillets. The seized cod has been forfeited.

Man fined for sealing offences

PORT AU CHOIX, N.L. – A man has been convicted of two seal-related offences under the Fisheries Act.

In April 2007, John Gaslard Jr. of Port au Choix was charged by fishery officers from the Rocky Harbour detachment for failing to administer a blinking reflex test as soon as possible after a seal is shot to confirm that it is dead, and for failing to use an approved instrument to fish for seals.

In provincial court in Port au Choix, Gaslard was convicted and fined $500 for each offence and he and his vessel are prohibited from participating in the first day of the 2009 seal hunting season.





Misreporting of catches leads to fines

ST. ANTHONY, N.L. – In provincial court in St. Anthony, N.L. Randy Woodward of Northern Boat Harbour, was convicted of fishing with a vessel without being named in the licence and for producing records or documents containing false or misleading information for examination by a fishery officer. Paul Woodward, also of Northern Boat Harbour, was convicted of permitting another person to use his vessel, in fishing for cod, without being named in the licence.

Randy Woodward was fined $750 and Paul Woodward was fined $500.

In September 2006, DFO investigated potential violations by two fish harvesters involving the misreporting of catch. In July of that year Randy Woodward, as per the stipulations of his licence, called the dockside monitoring company for an authorization number to land 2,500 pounds of cod harvested from Division 4R. Upon landing in Green Island Cove, Woodward’s catch was weighed during a random inspection by a dockside observer and the actual weight measured was found to be 4,826 pounds.

Subsequent investigation by fishery officers from the St. Anthony detachment led to charges on two counts for Randy Woodward and a charge on one count for Paul Woodward.