Three fish harvesters have been convicted of violating cod and salmon regulations following investigations by DFO fishery officers and fishery guardians.
In provincial court at Clarenville on December 8, 2008, Paul Pitcher of Burin was convicted of landing cod that was offloaded without a dockside observer present and of failing to complete his log book. Mr. Pitcher received a combined fine of $2,500 and 251 pounds of codfish was forfeited by the court. DFO fishery officers from the Placentia detachment observed Mr. Pitcher offloading his catch and later discovered the log book violations during a separate patrol.
In provincial court at Grand Bank on December 3, 2008, Anthony Rideout of Terrenceville was convicted of fishing cod during a closed time. Mr. Rideout received a $500 fine and is prohibited from fishing in coastal waters for one year. The court also ordered the forfeiture of his catch. Fishery officers from the Marystown detachment on patrol in the Terrenceville area in April 2008 observed Mr. Rideout fishing during a closed time and an inspection revealed illegally landed cod.
In provincial court at St. John’s on November 27, 2008, Shawn Boutcher of Little Harbour was convicted of fishing salmon and cod during a closed time and fined $1,200. Mr. Boutcher was fishing his capelin quota at the time and illegally allowed two individuals to retain salmon and cod from his trap. The two individuals were previously convicted for this offence and the court ordered the forfeiture of their catch. DFO fishery officers and fishery guardians from the Placentia detachment were conducting an investigating of capelin traps in Placentia Bay at the time.
