According to DFO investigations revealed different convictions resulted in huge fines. It is said that in Springdale Provincial Court on September 4, 2008, Hayward Strickland of Pilley’s Island was fined $400 for setting his herring bait net at a depth less than six feet. Alex Lush of Triton was fined $400 for possessing illegal ammunition while seal hunting. Under marine mammal fishing regulations, it is illegal to use or possess shot ammunition.
In another case Shawn Batstone of Nippers Harbour appeared in provincial court at Baie Verte on September 10, 2008, was fined $500 for exceeding his 2007 capelin quota by 10,814 pounds. He was ordered to repay $1,730.34 – the value of his capelin quota overrun. On August 19, 2008, Mr. Edgar Brown of Summerford was convicted in Gander Provincial Court as a result of several fishing violations detected by DFO fishery officers during a patrol along the northeast coast of Newfoundland near Farewell.
DFO also informed that in June 2008, fishery officers uncovered a number of unmarked and unclearly marked lobster pots as well as pots illegally constructed with insufficient space between the wall slats to allow smaller lobster to escape. Brown’s total fine reached $1,900.
