Press Release
From: Fisheries and Oceans Canada
October 16, 2024
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia – The Government of Canada is committed to building a renewed relationship with Indigenous peoples. As part of this commitment, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) works in partnership with First Nations in Quebec and Atlantic Canada to implement the right to fish in pursuit of a moderate livelihood, as set out in the Marshall decisions handed down by the Supreme Court of Canada 25 years ago. In undertaking these Nation-to-Nation discussions, DFO and First Nations are advancing the shared goal of seeing First Nations harvesters fishing to make a living for themselves and provide for their families.
Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier announced that for the fourth consecutive year, an interim authorization has been issued to Wasoqopa’q (Acadia), Annapolis Valley, Bear River and Glooscap First Nations. This interim authorization will see community members fishing and selling their catch in pursuit of a moderate livelihood during the commercial seasons in Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 33, 34 and 35, without increasing overall fishing effort.
DFO supports this moderate livelihood fishery which is based on a renewed interim understanding between Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the four Kespukwitk Mi’kmaw communities that operationalizes the community-developed Kespukwitk District Netukulimk Lobster Livelihood Fisheries Plan through the Kespukwitk Collective Fisheries Committee and their Fisheries Implementation Team. Fishery officers are in the field each day, working with designated community members to make sure they can fish within the conditions of their authorization, and in accordance with the measures in their community-developed fishing plans.
Representatives from the inshore lobster industry are informed of interim understandings with First Nations, and associated authorizations. These measures result in increased Indigenous participation in the commercial fishery through the continued implementation of their right to fish in pursuit of a moderate livelihood.
DFO has been working with Indigenous communities to further implement their right to fish in pursuit of a moderate livelihood by reaching interim understandings that authorize community members to fish under community-developed moderate livelihood fishing plans. Under these understandings, communities identify community members who wish to fish in pursuit of a moderate livelihood as part of their community-developed fishing plan and these harvesters are subsequently designated as authorized harvesters under a harvest document issued by DFO.
Interfering with lawful fishing and damaging or destroying fishing gear are illegal, causes debris that harms fish and fish habitat, and may result in a fine of up to $100,000 for offences under the Fisheries Act. Any harvesters whose equipment has been destroyed or tampered with should immediately report this incident to their local DFO Conservation and Protection office.
Quotes
“I am pleased to announce the fourth interim moderate livelihood authorization issued to Wasoqopa’q, Bear River, Annapolis Valley and Glooscap First Nations, which sees their members exercising the treaty right to fish and sell their catch in pursuit of a moderate livelihood during the commercial season. It is encouraging to see the continuity in the renewal of this interim understanding by these four Mi’kmaw First Nations and the Department. May these and all harvesters in Southwest Nova Scotia enjoy a safe and prosperous season.”
The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
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Contacts
Andrew Richardson
Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
Andrew.Richardson@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Media Relations, Maritimes Region
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
902-407-8439
Media.MaritimesRegion@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
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