A Notre Dame Bay man has been convicted of possessing full metal jacket ammunition while hunting seals, though the Department of Fisheries and Oceans says it was unable to determine if the bullets were used to harvest the animals.

Hank Clarke, from Cottrell's Cove, was convicted in Grand Falls-Windsor Provincial Court on Jan. 6. He was fined $1,000, which must be paid within six months.

The ammunition is prohibited for use in the seal fishery, under the Marine Mammal Regulations.

DFO said during an inspection last year, Clarke was in possession of two 223-calibre riffles, one of which had three rounds of full metal jacket bullets.

Thirty-two rounds of full metal jacket ammunition were also seized as part of the investigation.

DFO said the ammunition is being held until the fine is paid in full.