N.L. crab fishermen often break rules: DFO

Federal fisheries researchers found that 20 per cent of the Newfoundland and Labrador crab fishermen they monitored were breaking fishing regulations — some were taking more than their quota and many were fishing in areas they weren't licensed to fish in.

Two separate Department of Fisheries and Oceans investigations in 2007, 2008 and 2009 looked at crab fishing by boats in the huge area off the province's east coast known as 3L.

"We found a number of violations, including leaving port without the observer, exceeding quotas, fishing in an area they weren't licensed for," said Ben Rogers, the area chief for conservation and protection with DFO in Newfoundland and Labrador.

One study found 12 of 60 boats had violated fishing regulations. The other study had similar results.

DFO said its main concern is that fishermen misreported where they caught their crab.

Rogers said that some boats are catching all or most of their quotas in an area where they aren't licensed to catch crab, but claiming they were caught in a licensed area.

He said they're doing this because they can't find crab in the area they are licensed to fish in.

"Short-term gain, but long-term pain. They can catch their crab quickly right now, but in the long term it will impact on the future of the stocks," said Rogers.

He explained that misreporting is a problem for DFO scientists, who set annual quotas for different areas based on what they believe are accurate catch reports from fishermen.

Fisheries officials said 25 vessels received 58 charges for illegal activity — mostly misreporting — and pleaded guilty.

Twenty-one of those 25 have been convicted on illegal fishing charges. Their total fines and forfeitures amount to almost $500,000.

DFO officials said Wednesday that another 14 cases are underway.