Federation of Newfoundland Indians Fishery Guardians Back on the Rivers

The Federation of Newfoundland Indians, Bay St. George Fisheries Guardians have begun work again for this season. The FNI Guardians in cooperation with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Shannahans Investigation will patrol the rivers on the west coast.

One major improvement from last year will be night patrolling. Coordinator of the FNI Aboriginal Fishery Guardian Program, Calvin Francis is pleased with the new improvement.    

"Conservation and Preservation of our salmon stocks should be of the utmost importance to everyone," states Mr. Francis. "The plan this year is to target high activity areas in addition to working night shifts. The guardians will have flexibility in their scheduling and can be at any location at any time they desire due to their ability to break their shifts up into different times during a twenty-four hour period." continues Mr. Francis.            

The FNI guardians hope to crack down on illegal fishing activities on the west coast rivers through their known presence as well as through night shifts.

Pictured above are front from left; Calvin Francis Coordinator of the FNI Aboriginal Fishery Guardian Program, Brendan Sheppard, President of the Federation of Newfoundland Indians and Dave Parsons Stephenville Detachment Supervisor with DFO. Back from left are FNI Guardians; Raymond Young, Ed Webb, Rodney Bennett, Dave Lucas, Charlie Sheppard and Martin Swyers.