Persistent possible salmon poacher charged twice by fish officers

The old adage if first you don't succeed, try, try again may not have worked in one man's favour after fish and wildlife officers charged him with poaching salmon twice in central Newfoundland.

Officers began investigating possible illegal netting and improper use of all-terrain vehicles in the Lumsden area after receiving anonymous tips in early July.

The investigation led officers from the Gander detachment to stop two men on ATVs near Windmill Bight Brook for allegedly violating the Motorized Snow Vehicles and All-Terrain Vehicles Act.

A search of the ATV turned up 13 untagged salmon.

Moreover, the driver of the ATV was thought to be impaired, so officers called on the New-West-Valley RCMP who arrested the man and later released him.

It's also alleged the passenger on the ATV tried to destroy the evidence by attempting to throw the salmon away, said the Department of Justice and Public Safety.

Persistent

In the meantime, fish and wildlife officers searched Windmill Bight Brook for the net used in catching the salmon illegally,

While officers were surveying the area, they watched as a man arrived on the scene on an ATV and began hauling a net filled with 24 salmon.

Turns out, it was the same man that had been caught with salmon and charged with impaired driving earlier.

Both men are faces a slew of changes for violations of the Federal Fisheries Act, the Motorized Snow Vehicles and All-Terrain Vehicles Act.

The driver of the ATV is facing additional charges of impaired driving and operating a vehicle while suspended.

Two ATVs, 37 Atlantic salmon and one round of 12-gauge ammunition was seized.