Father And Son Fined For Fisheries-Related Offenses

A hefty penalty has been imposed on a father and son for failing to properly report their halibut catch. In Bridgewater court, Lorraine Boutilier and his son Blaine of Hubbards were slapped with more than $10,000 in fines after they pleaded guilty to various fisheries-related offences. The charges were laid more than three years ago after federal fisheries officers conducted a search at Deep Cove Aqua Farms Limited. Their investigation revealed the Boutilier's were involved in catching and selling more than 500 kilograms of unreported halibut. Judge Gregory Lenehan told court all fishermen should know the importance of reporting an accurate catch. He explained failing to properly report catches negatively affects quotas and hurts other fishermen. The Boutilier's were given at least a year to pay-off the fines.