Law Supports Fight Against Illegal Fishery

Nova Scotia's continuing crackdown on illegal fishery activities received a boost Wednesday when amendments to the Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act were passed into law.

The amendments, introduced in the legislature May 26 and effective June 9 following royal assent, drastically increased the fines for illegal fishing, buying and selling of lobster and other species in Nova Scotia.

"The legislature is taking the elimination of illegal fishery activities seriously as evidenced by the unusually speedy proclamation of the bill following third reading," said Keith Colwell, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "My department is committed to the eradication of this activity, and this legislation gives us an effective tool with which to combat those who break the law."

The new law allows the courts to hand out maximum fines of $100,000 for a first offence, a tenfold increase. The fine for subsequent offences is also increased, to a maximum of $500,000, up from $25,000.

Other changes allow for all those involved in fishing-related activities to be covered by the law, including buyers and sellers. As well, the time allowed for a prosecution is extended for two years.

"The time has come to put an end to this illegal activity," said Mr. Colwell. "It hurts everyone. Fishermen lose because the resource is depleted, the fish-plant workers lose because there's no product to process, and the person on the street loses because seafood prices rise."

The legislation is part of a campaign that includes:

• a requirement by licensed lobster-buyers to keep specific information on the lobsters they buy or hold
• the creation of a provincial-federal task force with a mandate to eliminate illegal fishing
• the appointment of 104 federal fishery officers as provincial inspectors with powers to arrest those engaged in illegal fishery activities
• the creation of a toll-free CrimeStoppers hotline -- 1-800-222-8477 -- to report illegal activity
• advertisements in some community newspapers encouraging people with information on illegal buying and selling of fish to come forward
• a letter by the minister to all fish buyers stating that "unscrupulous behaviour" will not be tolerated

Meetings of the joint task force are continuing and further measures will be announced.