Lobster fisherman fined for violations

A P.E.I. fisherman who said he thought his accountant had renewed his licence was recently fined $2,250 for lobster fishery violations.

Linden Harry Stewart appeared before Chief Judge Nancy Orr in provincial court in Georgetown where he pleaded guilty to fishing lobster without being authorized to do so.

He also pleaded guilty to fishing lobster without holding a fisheries registration card.

Crown attorney Matthew Bradley told the court a fisheries officer was informed at the start of the 2018 lobster season that Stewart didn’t renew his licence.

After the officer boarded Stewart’s boat about one week after the season opened the accused didn’t produce a licence or registration, saying they were at home.

That was not true.

Stewart later said he thought his accountant renewed the licence for him.

The fisheries officer also issued warnings for not having registration numbers on his buoys or boat.

Bradley told the court Stewart made the payment but didn’t submit the necessary paperwork.

Before sentencing Stewart, Orr said he was aware fishing was a highly regulated industry.

Stewart must pay the fines before the 2019 fishing season starts.