Salmon poaching leads to 3 arrests, seizure of truck and boats

Tips from the public have turned into charges for three men in two separate incidents for illegally netting Altantic salmon.

Fish and wildlife officers from Springdale, Grand Falls-Windsor, Stephenville and Corner Brook took part in the extensive surveillance recently of Brent's Cove, on the Baie Verte Peninsula.

That investigation led to the arrest of two men from Brent's Cove, who are both in their forties, last Saturday.

They were charged with illegally netting salmon in coastal waters, and the illegal possession of salmon.

Officers seized items that the men were using, including a pick-up truck, a side-by-side ATV, boat and motor, net, and a dozen salmon.

Another 16 live salmon were released by officers.

Tip leads to arrest in Bonavista Bay

Fish and wildlife officers investigated another tip that came from Wareham, in Bonavista Bay, early Tuesday morning.

A man was apprehended for illegally netting salmon, and officers seized a net, boat and a motor.

The man was released to appear in court in Gander at a later date.

But a second suspect in that incident had fled the scene. Officers say their investigation is ongoing.

Officers with the fish and wildlife enforcement division also reminded poachers that they're committed to apprehending those who threaten the province's salmon and trout populations.