Steven Edward Goreham received a total of $10,000.00 in fines for fishing without a license and for buying, selling, or possessing fish caught in contravention of the Fisheries Act. He is also prohibited from fishing or from being on any fishing vessel in Canadian Fishing Waters for a period of 5 years. Meanwhile, Corey Wade Barkhouse received $37,000 in fines after he pled guilty to fishing without a license and to buying, selling or possessing fish caught in contravention of the Fisheries Act.
The sentencing brings to a conclusion a lengthy investigation into the fishing activities of the fishing vessel Portuguese Lady which was initiated in April 2010 by fishery officers from the Barrington Detachment with assistance from the Shelburne, Liverpool, and Tusket Detachments. In addition to these two convictions this investigation resulted in substantial fines and forfeitures for another two crew members from the same vessel and a member of the processing industry.
Illegal, unregulated or unreported fishing activity threatens both the health of fish stocks and access for Canadian fish products to certain international markets. Anyone wishing to report suspected illegal fishing activities or any contravention of the Fisheries Act and Regulations is asked to contact their local Fisheries and Oceans Canada office, or in Nova Scotia call CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-800-222-8477.
Convictions for Halibut Fishery Violations Net Substantial Penalties
CANADA - Two Nova Scotia men face stiff penalties after they were convicted of illegal activity in the halibut fishery in Bridgewater court. The October 22 sentencing brings to a conclusion a series of convictions involving the same fishing vessel which together yielded fines totaling $101,000.00 and forfeitures of $12,308.00 in catch and gear.
