A proposed new quota system in the elver fishery aims to allocate 50% of the catch to First Nations fishers, sparking hope for a more peaceful season after previous conflicts.
Indigenous elver fishers who once were at odds with federal fisheries officers say they're hopeful that a new plan to provide them quotas this season will create more peace on the water. Earlier this month, a letter released by the federal Fisheries Department proposed a new quota system for the lucrative baby eel fishery that shifts 50 per cent of the total allowable catch of about 9,960 kilograms to First Nations fishers from commercial licence holders.
Commercial elver fishers in the Maritimes have condemned the new system, saying it slashes their quotas without compensation, leaving little motivation for non-Indigenous companies to share their methods and facilities with the Indigenous entrants. However, Blaise Sylliboy, a 26-year-old Mi'kmaq fisher, says he is optimistic about receiving a legal quota, after he was arrested last year by three enforcement officers and dropped at a gas station — where he was left stranded without his boots. In an interview on Wednesday, Sylliboy said he wants to move on from the arrest and become part of a legal, co-managed fishery this spring. 'Now that it's under a professional system, it's going to be quite exciting … I will feel more welcomed. I would feel I have a job to do, and I won't feel hunted,' he said. The federal fisheries minister closed the elver fishery in March, citing confrontations and incidents of violence that had created an “immediate threat” to public safety. In 2023, the fishery was closed in April after reports of violence related to unauthorized fishing as well as accusations of assaults and even shots fired. Michael Basque is negotiating access to the elver fishery for four Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq First Nations. In an interview Tuesday, he said Indigenous fishers will be able to make a moderate livelihood from harvesting baby eels with the new quotas alloted to the
Indigenous Fishers Elver Fishery Quota System Conflict Resolution First Nations
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Officer receives suspension after two Mi’kmaq elver fishers left without bootsA federal fisheries officer has been suspended for 10 days without pay for his role in arresting two Mi'kmaq elver fishers and releasing them in only their socked feet.
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Officer receives suspension after two Mi'kmaq elver fishers left without bootsHALIFAX — A federal fisheries officer has been suspended for 10 days without pay for his role in arresting two Mi'kmaq elver fishers late at night and releasing them in only their socked feet.
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Officer receives suspension after two Mi'kmaq elver fishers left without bootsHALIFAX — A federal fisheries officer has been suspended for 10 days without pay for his role in arresting two Mi'kmaq elver fishers late at night and releasing them in only their socked feet.
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Officer receives suspension after two Mi'kmaq elver fishers left without bootsHALIFAX — A federal fisheries officer has been suspended for 10 days without pay for his role in arresting two Mi'kmaq elver fishers late at night and releasing them in only their socked feet.
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Officer receives suspension after two Mi'kmaq elver fishers left without bootsHALIFAX — A federal fisheries officer has been suspended for 10 days without pay for his role in arresting two Mi'kmaq elver fishers late at night and releasing them in only their socked feet.
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