Tuesday, August 15, 2006 | 9:48 AM NT
CBC News

Four Newfoundland men have been convicted of killing seals before last year's hunt legally opened in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

A surveillance flight observed the four men on March 28, 2005, a day before the scheduled opening of the hunt in the region.

A fisheries officer used high-powered photo and video equipment to monitor the four men.

Fisheries officers from Rocky Harbour and St. Anthony boarded the vessels when they docked at Port Saunders two days later.

The four men convicted in Corner Brook provincial court were Harlan Warren and Perry Warren, both of Margaree; Glen King, of Fox Roost; and Norman King, of Burnt Islands.

Each man was fined $1,500.

As well, Harlan Warren was fined $500 for failing to carry an at-sea observer.

All of the illegally caught pelts were forfeited, at a value of $9,071.

The convictions were entered in court on June 5, although the Department of Fisheries and Oceans did not announce them until Monday.