Investigations into poaching of Atlantic Salmon conducted by the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture’s Resource Enforcement Division have resulted in the apprehension of several individuals.
On July 26, 2022 Resource Enforcement Officers with the Resource Enforcement Division, St. John’s Detachment, apprehended three individuals in New Perlican, Trinity Bay, after a net was set in coastal waters in the community. When officers retrieved the 80 foot long gill net, it contained one Atlantic salmon which was still alive and was subsequently released. The officers seized the net and the three men were released from the scene. Charges under the Fisheries Act are pending and the three will be required to appear in court at a later date.
On August 3, 2022 Resource Enforcement Officers with the Resource Enforcement Division, Gander Detachment, retrieved a gill net set in inland waters near Stoneville that contained 19 dead Atlantic salmon. The net measured 85 feet and had completely spanned the river. On August 5, 2022 two male individuals were apprehended for netting in inland waters after they had retrieved an Atlantic salmon from a gill net set in the river. This happened approximately one kilometer from where the gill net with the 19 Atlantic salmon was retrieved. The 105 foot net, along with a 70 foot net that was not set, a canoe and one Atlantic salmon were seized by the officers. Charges under the Fisheries Act are pending and the two will be required to appear in court at a later date.
The public are encouraged to report suspected illegal fishing and hunting activity as information provided by the public plays a significant role in assisting investigations being carried out by Resource Enforcement Officers.
The public can report suspicious activity anonymously at any time, by calling 1-877-820-0999 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. Anonymous reports can also be submitted online at www.nlcrimestoppers.com or www.stoppoaching.ca.
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Media contact
Craig Renouf
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-637-2923, 640-6922
craigrenouf@gov.nl.ca