Commercial Fishermen at the Meteghan Wharf continue to press DFO for enforcement of what they call 'illegal out-of-season' fishing by Indigenous harvesters in in St. Mary's Bay.
A letter from the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce that demands action on the situation in St. Mary’s Bay is being met with strong support from some and derision from others.
The letter, addressed to Premier Stephen McNeil and Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Bernadette Jordan, was issued on Sunday.
In it, the Chamber requests that the province consider declaring a localized state of emergency, open a dialogue with Federal officials and affected communities, and increase the presence of authorities in the area.
To the federal government, a request to restrict marine traffic in LFAs for at least 48 hours to prevent further escalation, strike a ‘federal negotiating team’ involving all stakeholders, and return DFO to the ‘front lines’.
There are several other requests outlined in the letter.
There has been mounting criticism about some of the the language used, including referring to the Sipekne’katik First Nation Moderate Livelihood fishery as ‘illegal’ and ‘out of season’.
The Sipekne’katik First Nation continues to assert that Treaty rights allow for Indigenous harvesters to fish outside of commercial seasons.
There has also been backlash about a passage surrounding ‘reports of First Nations individuals from other areas of Canada en route to the area’, and a request for the feds to “Launch an investigation into the Encroachment of non-local First Nations in areas outside of their residence.”
Y95 news has reached out to the Chamber for clarification, but nobody has been available for an interview.
The impasse in Saint Mary’s Bay continues into its fifth day.
The dispute started last Thursday when the Sipekne’katik First Nation initiated its self-regulated Moderate Livelihood fishery in the area.
Up to 100 commercial fishing boats have been in St. Mary’s Bay protesting the move since then.
Commercial stakeholders maintain that their issue is one of conservation and that lobsters being caught under the Moderate Livelihood banner are being sold.
The commercial fishery in LFA 34, that encompasses St. Mary’s Bay, is closed until the end of November.
They have been calling for DFO to enforce its own laws.
There have been persistent allegations of of violence, aggression, gear tampering, and theft toward Mi’kmaq fishers, while the commercial fishers maintain that they too have experienced taunts and acts of violence.
Videos on social media appear to back up many of the allegations.
There is word that the commercial fishermen are now beginning to target buyers that they believe are allegedly buying Mi’kmaq-harvested lobster, with a large crowd gathered outside an alleged buyer’s home on Monday morning.
Meantime, RCMP confirm reports of theft and mischief to fishing gear in the Saulnierville area.
Police say the reports are being investigated and officers will maintain presence in the area to ensure public and police safety, and to keep the peace.
An RCMP spokesperson says it’s status quo with members continuing to patrol the area.
Rumours of a TAV – Tactical Armoured Vehicle – being sent to St .Mary’s Bay are untrue according to RCMP.
