A star of the Discovery Channel’s “Cold Water Cowboys” is facing charges in provincial court in Corner Brook for failure to comply with the conditions of a fishing licence.
Todd Young of Woody Point is the captain of the Nicole Daniel and owner of 3T’s Limited. Young and the Nicole Daniel, the biggest vessel in the Bonne Bay fleet, was regularly featured on the first season of “Cold Water Cowboys” when it aired this past winter.
Information sworn before the court in February 2012 outlines eight charges under the Fisheries Act against Young for failing to comply with the condition of a licence. The specific charges allege Young exceeded the maximum quantity of herring permitted to be taken under a licence and that he failed to fully and accurately complete a Department of Fisheries and Oceans fishing logbook on a daily basis for the Nicole Daniel, the Violet and Karen II, the Atlantic Traveller, Atlantic Endeavor and Newfie Star.
Young, 47, is also charged with making a false or misleading statement to an authority designated by a fishery officer, and while being employed as an observer, provided false information in the course of his duties.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between October and December 2010 in Woody Point.
Listed as co-accused on the eight charges are 3T’s Limited and 70-year-old John Roberts of Woody Point.
A second company, Gauvin and Noel Co. Ltd., which court information shows has the same address as 3T’s in Woody Point, is also listed as an accused on four of the charges — two of failing to comply with the conditions of a licence, making a false or misleading statement and providing false information.
Neither Young, nor anyone else representing the two companies, was present when the case was called in court earlier this week. All three parties were instead represented by an agent for lawyer Jamie Merrigan. Roberts, who is represented by Deer Lake lawyer Jim Goudie, also wasn’t present.
The accused have all entered not guilty pleas to the charges and the purpose of the court appearance was to set a date for a hearing on the admissibility of evidence. At question is surveillance footage taken by cameras set up in the area of the wharf in Woody Point by DFO.
The hearing had been set for Sept. 29 and 30, but has now been changed to Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.
