3 convicted for illegal poaching, netting

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

According to a release from theDepartment 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 poachingwere reported near Salmon Pond Brook andSouthwest Gander River.

Thistle is also not allowed to fish or hold a fishing licence. He cannot be within10 metres of inland waters or be in a cabin within 50 metres of inland waters for 10 years.

A canoe, a netand 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 $4,000for 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 weresetting a net across Crabbe's River in the Bay of Islands.

Baldwin and Clarke cannothold a fishing licence or participate in any fisheryin Canada for four years.

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