Persistent possible salmon poacher charged twice by fish officers

The old adageif first you don't succeed,try, try again may not haveworkedin one man's favourafter fish and wildlife officers chargedhim with poaching salmon twice in central Newfoundland.

Officers began investigating possible illegal netting and improperuse of all-terrain vehiclesin the Lumsden areaafter 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 theNew-West-Valley RCMP whoarrested the man and later released him.

It's also alleged the passenger on the ATV tried to destroy the evidence by attemptingto 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, theywatched 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.