Central Newfoundland man found guilty of environmental offences

A central Newfoundland man was recently found guilty of committing offences contrary to the Migratory Birds Convention Act.

A news release from Environmental and Climate Change Canada reported Raymond Newman was found guilty of three offences during an appearance at provincial court in Grand Falls-windsor on Aug. 5.

In October 2019, Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officials were conducting a migratory bird coastal patrol in the Notre Dame Bay area when they saw a pair of individuals, along with hunting equipment, in a boat.

The officials inspected the vessel and found three birds and two shotguns aboard. Of those three birds, two of them were razorbills which are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act.

When asked, Newman was unable to produce a hunting permit for a migratory game bird. As well, one of the shotguns on board held more than three shells, which is also against regulations.

Newman was found guilty of being unlawfully in possession of a migratory bird or nest and failing to produce a hunting permit upon inspection, as well as contravening a firearm provision of the migratory birds regulations.

As a result of his conviction, Newman was fined $15,000, which is earmarked for the Canadian government’s Environmental Damages Fund. He is also prohibited from applying for, using or possessing a migratory game bird permit for one year.

The court also directed Newman to forfeit the shotgun, shells and the two razorbills.