Man sentenced to jail for illegal fishing

James Holloway has been sentenced to six months in jail, given an 18-month probation order, and is prohibited from fishing in inland or coastal waters for 10 years following an investigation by the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.

Following reports from the public regarding illegal netting, on September 26 and 27, 2019, conservation officers from Clarenville conducted surveillance, which resulted in apprehending and charging of Holloway, for fishing a species without authorization contrary to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, and for possessing fish caught in contravention of the Fisheries Act.

One salmon, a groundfish, a 90-foot gill net, and other small tools were seized.

On July 28, 2020, conservation officers conducting surveillance in the same area again apprehended Holloway and charged him with two counts of fishing for a species of fish without authorization contrary to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, two counts of possessing fish caught in contravention of the Fisheries Act, and offering to sell fish caught in contravention of the Fishery (General) Regulations.

Twenty-four salmon, a sea trout, two gill nets, and small tools were seized.

At Provincial Court in Clarenville, Holloway was convicted of all charges.

When these charges were laid, Holloway was already on a two-year fishing prohibition for a 2018 conviction.

All items seized during the investigations were forfeited to the Crown.