The Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Gulf Region, has announced the sentences imposed to five Gulf Nova Scotia area fish harvesters for violating the fisheries regulations.
Nicholas Vink and Bernard Carpenter of Havre-Boucher, Nova Scotia, both pleaded guilty in Antigonish Provincial Court on 19 October 2009, to violating Sections 59(3) and 62(1) of the Atlantic Fishery Regulations of 1985, and section 22(7) of the Fishery (General) Regulations during the 2008 lobster fishing season in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 26A. The anonymous tip received by fishery officers of the Pictou Detachment was key in intercepting the illegal lobsters in their possession. Provincial Court Judge Embree imposed a $5,010 fine to Mr Vink for fishing lobsters with unlicensed traps and traps having undersized escape mechanisms. He is also prohibited from fishing the first two days of the 2010 lobster fishery in LFA 26A. Mr Carpenter received a $1,510 fine for his possession of three egg-berried female lobsters.
Stephen Webb of Havre-Boucher, Nova Scotia, pleaded guilty in Antigonish Provincial Court on 19 October 2009, to fishing with lobster traps with escape mechanisms smaller than the regulation size of 41mm, which is contrary to section 22(7) of the Fisheries (General) Regulations. Provincial Court Judge Embree imposed a $2,010 fine to Mr Webb. Fishery officers from the Pictou Detachment carried out a lobster gear inspection on 4 June 4 2009 in the area of Bayfield, Tracadie, and Havre-Boucher when they discovered a number of lobster traps with small escape mechanisms belonging to Mr Webb.
Curtis Mertin of Toney River, Nova Scotia, pleaded guilty in Pictou Provincial Court on 20 October 2009, to possession of rock crab below the permitted minimum size of 108mm, which is contrary to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations of 1985. Provincial Court Judge Theodore Tax imposed a $1,250 fine to Mr Mertin for his illegal fishing.
Paul Mundle of Pugwash, Nova Scotia, pleaded guilty in Pictou Provincial Court on 20 October 2009, to having exceeded his allowable daily herring trap limit, which is contrary to the Fishery (General) Regulations. Provincial Court Judge Theodore Tax imposed a $1,000 fine to Mr Mundle for the excess catch.
