3 convicted for illegal poaching, netting

A few incidents of illegal poaching and netting have led to convictions in Gander and Corner Brook provincial courts.

According to a release from the Department of Justice and Public Safety, Darren Thistle of Glenwood was sentenced to 65 days in jail — 30 days under the wildlife act and the fisheries act, as well as an additional 30 days for breach of probation under the criminal code — for two incidents of salmon poaching in 2014 and 2015.

He was arrested after public complaints of poaching were reported near Salmon Pond Brook and Southwest Gander River.

Thistle is also not allowed to fish or hold a fishing licence. He cannot be within 10 metres of inland waters or be in a cabin within 50 metres of inland waters for 10 years.

A canoe, a net and 11 Atlantic salmon were taken from Thistle and forfeited.

In Corner Brook, Horace Baldwin of Cox's Cove and Dustin Clarke of Torbay were convicted and each fined $4,000 for possession of fish caught in contravention of the fisheries act and for illegally netting salmon.

Both men pleaded guilty after being seen and arrested by fish and wildlife enforcement officers. 

They were setting a net across Crabbe's River in the Bay of Islands.

Baldwin and Clarke cannot hold a fishing licence or participate in any fishery in Canada for four years.

A net, six salmon, 14 sea trout and a boat and motor were seized and forfeited from the two men.