Clearwater vessel accused of fishing in closed zone

CBC

a day ago

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Fisheries officers arrested a person earlier this week in southwest Nova Scotia and seized more than $1 million worth of scallop meat after they say a surveillance operation found a Clearwater vessel fishing in a closed area.
According to a release from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the arrest happened Tuesday and followed unauthorized activity in Scallop Fishing Area 29 D by the vessel Atlantic Protector.
The area, which is off the coast of Shelburne County near Clark's Harbour, is known for its premium quality scallops.
"Fishery officers from our Barrington detachment first detected the fishing vessel via the Vessel Monitoring System," the release said.
"The offshore surveillance unit was then dispatched and visually confirmed the vessel was fishing illegally in the closed area."
According to the release, fisheries officers boarded the vessel at sea and seized the catch.
Scallops that had not been shucked were returned live to the ocean. The captain was directed to take the vessel to Shelburne, where the rest of the catch was offloaded.
Company says it is committed to sustainable, legal fishing
DFO said officers seized almost 50,000 pounds [22,000 kilograms] of scallop meat, worth about $1.1 million.
A statement from Clearwater said the company is committed to sustainable fishing and "legal operations at all times." The statement says Atlantic Protector's captain was accused of being "just over the boundary for a short period of time earlier that day."
Atlantic Protector is licensed to fish for scallops outside 12 nautical miles [22.2 kilometres] on German Bank. The 43-metre factory vessel has the capability to shuck and freeze-dry scallops within an hour of being caught, according to Clearwater's website.
Clearwater's statement says company officials are conducting their own investigation into the incident.
"We employ hundreds of hard-working Atlantic Canadians in this fishery and are confident in the integrity of our captains and crew. We will vigorously defend our record on sustainability and look forward to the opportunity to bring evidence forward to defend ourselves."
DFO says its investigation continues.