Illegal Fishing Hotline Established

A provincial enforcement hotline to help stop illegal fishing has been established, Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell announced today, the start of Nova Scotia's most lucrative lobster season.

The minister said ads have appeared in some community newspapers to encourage people with information on illegal buying and selling to come forward.

"Our department is asking the communities to help us solve this problem," Mr. Colwell said. "These calls will be investigated and will help our enforcement branch to target offenders."

The hotline number is 902-424-0343. All calls will be confidential.

The ad copy states a stern warning that illegal fishing will not be tolerated. It also reads: "Illegal buying and selling of lobster could lead to a collapse as it did in the groundfishery. Help us stop this activity."

Mr. Colwell said department staff are continuing to examine options to crack down on illegal fishing.