“Where’s Bernadette?”
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Federal Fisheries and Oceans Minister Bernadette Jordan’s constituency office in Bridgewater on Thursday morning, demanding a crackdown on illegal fishing and for their voices to be heard when it comes to conservation.
Fishers have long been flagging what they call illegal, out-of-season fishing activities in areas such as St. Mary’s Bay but so far they’ve been met with inaction from the DFO or the Minister.
West Nova MP Chris d’Entremont wrote a letter to the MP echoing many of the same concerns.
d’Entremont says he’s heard allegations of up to 50,000 pounds of lobster being landed daily in two particular regions of his constituency, though didn’t identify where.
Colin Sproul of the Bay of Fundy Inshore Fishermen’s Association says the issue isn’t treaty rights for Indigenous Fishermen, which do allow for fishing in the off-season via Food, Social, and Ceremonial and Moderate Living designations- though neither category allows for the sale of catches when the commercial season is closed.
“The issue is that fishermen have been left out of the table on sustainability discussions and that the federal government is refusing to enforce existing fishing policy and law for political considerations,” he said. “That’s the issue.”
Maritimes Fishermen’s union Coordinator Ruth Inniss says they have three simple asks.
“Communication and to be at the table, we want a sustainable fishery for the future, and we want the Federal Government to enforce their own regulations.”
Organizers of the event said Jordan was notified of the protest well in advance, yet she did not attend.
A statement from the Minister was issued to Y95 News – it reads :
“ I take all allegations of illegal fishing very seriously and respect people’s right to gather for peaceful protest. It is important to note that First Nation communities in Nova Scotia have a recognized right to harvest lobster for Food, Social, and Ceremonial (FSC) purposes outside of the regular commercial season. DFO supports this through issuing FSC licenses each year, and associated tags for FSC traps.
DFO’s Fisheries Management team continues to engage with Indigenous communities to ensure that FSC needs are well understood while promoting measures for the proper management, control and oversight of these fisheries.
The DFO Fisheries Management and Conservation & Protection (C&P) teams have been alerted to reports of illegal fishing in certain areas of Nova Scotia. I encourage anyone who has information on suspected illegal fishing, purchasing, or selling, to report it by contacting your local C&P detachment or toll-free at 1-800-565-1633. All information provided to fishery officers is reviewed, and actions are undertaken to investigate. As a reminder, we cannot comment on active investigations. However, when an investigation concludes that there are reasonable, probable grounds to pursue charges, C&P works with the Public Prosecution Services of Canada to bring cases to trial. This year, actions have been taken to remove illegal fishing gear and investigations are ongoing.
It is imperative that we work together to maintain orderly and sustainable fisheries, to respect the rights of First Nation harvesters, and to ensure coastal communities continue to thrive. Again, if anyone has information on suspected illegal fishing please reach out to C&P.”
Similar action was held at the DFO office in Meteghan, with lobster buyers trucks barricaded in the parking lot by a wall of lobster traps.