Poachers having 'severe' impact on N.L. salmon, trout: province

Fish and wildlife officers in Newfoundland and Labrador are warning that recent poaching acrossthe provinceis having "a severely negative impact on salmon and trout resources," according to a news release issued Wednesday.

Officers have caught numerous alleged poachers so far this fishing season and seized dozens of illegally caught fish,and are asking the public to stay vigilantin reporting any suspicious activity.

On July 16, officers from Gander found a salmon net in Dog Bay near Stoneville. The next morning, they approached a masked individual who "sped up to the net in a boat, but the suspect fled and managed to escape despite the use of a police dog to find them," said the release.

Officers did seize the net, the boat, and 37 salmon.

Barachois Brook in Bay St. George has been a hotspot for poaching this summer. On July 15, officers charged two men after reports that someone was netting Atlantic salmon and selling them.

Officers found a net in the brook, seized the men's truck and six salmon, and the pairnow face charges under the Fisheries Act.

Thenon Aug.6, officers from Stephenvillefound a net set in Barachois Brook spanning the entire length of the river, with decomposing salmon and three ducks caught in it. The net was foundin the same area as the incident on July 15.

Officers have also found nets in the Lower Crabbe's River, Jumper's Brook-Warm Brook, near Sandy Cove and around Port Albert. In many of the cases, the men alleged to have been involved with the nets have charges pending.

The province says anyone with tips about poaching can call Crime Stoppers, or submit them online at www.stoppoaching.ca.