January 3, 2014 - Moncton, New Brunswick

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Gulf Region, announced today six Prince Edward Island residents have been fined for fishing violations. The fines total $29,500.

Lobster

On November 26, 2013, four Prince Edward Island residents were fined for unlawfully fishing lobster during a closed time.

Ben Joseph Gaudet of Tignish, Prince Edward Island, pleaded guilty to unlawfully fishing for lobster in lobster fishing area 24 during a closed time. He was fined $2,000.

Donald Jos Harper of Tignish, Prince Edward Island, pleaded guilty to unlawfully fishing for lobster in lobster fishing areas 23 and 24 during a closed time. He was fined $3,250.

Blake Joseph Harper of Elmsdale, Prince Edward Island, pleaded guilty to unlawfully fishing for lobster in lobster fishing area 24 during a closed time. He was fined $4,000.

Wade Jos Gavin of Tignish, Prince Edward Island, pleaded guilty to unlawfully fishing for lobster in lobster fishing area 24 during a closed time. He was fined $10,000.

On November 18, 2013, Richard Bruce Gormley of Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island, pleaded guilty to fishing lobster traps that did not have valid tags attached, near Pictou Island, Nova Scotia. He was fined $9,000 and his catch, valued at $2,000, was confiscated. He also received a one-week suspension for the start of the 2014 lobster fishing season.

Rock crab

On November 26, 2013, Andrew Williams of Richmond, Prince Edward Island, pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence and to fishing without a vessel. He was fined $1,250.

The Government of Canada is committed to safeguarding the long-term health and productivity of Canada’s fisheries resources, and the habitat that supports them, for generations to come. Fisheries and Oceans Canada has a mandate to protect and conserve marine resources and to prosecute offenders under the Fisheries Act. It ensures and promotes compliance with the Act and other laws and regulations through a combination of land, air, and sea patrols, as well as education and awareness activities.

Anyone wishing to report suspicious fishing activity or habitat violations is asked to contact their nearest Fisheries and Oceans Canada office or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477

src:news.gc.ca