THREE INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE HEAVY FINES AND HUNTING SUSPENSIONS FOR VIOLATIONS
UNDER THE MIGRATORY BIRDS CONVENTION ACT, 1994

GANDER, NL, Nov. 4 /CNW/ - A two-year investigation by Environment Canada's Enforcement Branch into the excessive harvest and illegal selling of migratory birds in the Twillingate and New World Island areas has resulted in convictions and heavy fines for three local hunters.

Gary Leyte, age 55 of Virgin Arm, pleaded guilty on September 16^th in Provincial Court in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador to charges under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994. Lionel Leyte, age 33 of Virgin Arm, also pleaded guilty on September 16^th, and Neil Barrett, age 65 of Twillingate, pleaded guilty on October 19^th, all in relation to the same investigation.  

Gary Leyte was fined $3,750 for the illegal selling of murres and eider ducks and exceeding the possession limit of eider ducks. He was also fined $250 for hunting migratory birds with a shotgun capable of holding more than three rounds of ammunition. In addition, Gary Leyte was ordered to surrender a firearm, a number of duck decoys, and other hunting items to the Crown. He is also prohibited for five years from hunting or being in the company of anyone hunting migratory birds.

Lionel Leyte was fined $1,000 for the illegal selling of murres and is prohibited from hunting migratory birds for one year.

Neil Barrett was fined $1,000 for the illegal selling of murres and is prohibited from hunting migratory birds for one year.

Murres, locally known as turrs, and eider ducks are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994. It is illegal to sell, offer for sale, buy or trade any migratory bird. Environment Canada's wildlife officers enforce federal wildlife legislation which protects plant and animal species throughout Canada. This is done in collaboration with other federal departments, provincial and territorial governments as well as international agencies and organizations.                                                      

For further information:

Media Relations Environment Canada 819-934-8008 1-888-908-8008

(Également offert en français)