Fishery Violations – Gulf Nova Scotia Area

July 23, 2010

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ANTIGONISH, N.S. – The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announced today the latest sentence imposed on a fish harvester for violating fisheries regulations.

Mr. James Gordon Townshend of Souris, Prince Edward Island, was found guilty of three violations to the Fisheries Act in Antigonish Provincial Court on July 9, 2010:

1. Having been in possession of lobsters of a length less than 76 mm in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 26B, contrary to section 57(2) of the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985;
   
   
2. Having been in possession of female “window” lobsters measuring between 115 mm and 129 mm in contravention of subsection 22(7) of the Fishery General Regulations;
   
   
3. Having been in possession of female lobsters with eggs attached, contrary to subsection 59(3) of the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985.

Provincial Court Judge Laurel Halfpenny-MacQuarrie imposed fines of $1,000, $2,000 and $3,000 respectively, plus $100 in court costs, for a total of $6,100. She further prohibited Mr. James Gordon Townshend from participating in the lobster fishery for the first four days of the 2011 season in LFA 26A. 

DFO is committed to the conservation and protection of aquatic resources in all Canadian waters, including the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. Anyone wishing to report suspicious fishing activities should do so by contacting their nearest DFO office, Crime Stoppers at 1‑800‑222‑8477, or the Canadian Coast Guard Regional Operations Centre at 1‑800‑565‑1633.

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For more information:

Pierre Gautreau
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Communications, Gulf Region
Moncton, N.B.
(506) 851-7171

NR-G-10-07