Achi news desk-
Fisheries officers seized more than three kilograms of juvenile eels and arrested five people from Maine for Fisheries Act violations in Digby County, NS, on Saturday night.
According to a news release from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), officers were patrolling the Meteghan area in Digby County when they arrested the Maine people for the crimes. They also seized three dip nets, one fyke net, and one vehicle.
Unrelated to the people arrested, officers also seized 13 kilograms of baby eels and various fishing gear from the same location.
The officers returned almost 16.5 kilograms of young eels to their original river.
According to the statement, fisheries officers have arrested 95 people and confiscated 74.6 kilograms of juvenile eels, 175 dip nets, 58 byke nets, and 21 vehicles since March 8.
On March 11, the DFO announced that the juvenile eel fishery would be closed this year due to safety and conservation concerns.
“Any acts of violence or harassment towards fisheries officers will not be tolerated and will be reported to the appropriate police,” the statement said. “DFO will continue to work closely with our partner agencies and departments, as well as with local police to monitor and address any criminal activity and reports of threats, intimidation, or violence in against fisheries officers and other law enforcement personnel.”
