In 1999, the Supreme Court of Canada rendered the Marshall decisions, which affirmed that the 34 Mi'kmaq and Wolastoqey Nations in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and the Gaspé region of Quebec have a treaty right to fish, hunt, and gather in pursuit of a moderate livelihood. This right stems from the Peace and Friendship Treaties of 1760 and 1761. In 2017, the Peskotomuhkati Nation at Skutik was also identified as a Nation implicated by the Marshall decisions.
On March 26, 2024, I was deeply troubled to learn of an incident involving the arrest and release of two Mi’kmaw individuals in Shelburne County, Nova Scotia. The allegations brought forward regarding the treatment of the two individuals are simply unacceptable.
Atlantic halibut is an important species that creates good jobs for hardworking Canadians in coastal communities. Canada and France have long worked together to reach agreement on quota sharing for Atlantic halibut, with a focus on ensuring the right balance is reached between economic interests and the long-term sustainability of the stock.
Atlantic halibut is found in waters from east of Newfoundland to the northeastern United States. Most of the stock is found in Canadian fisheries waters, with a certain percentage also found within the French Maritime Zone off the coast of St. Pierre and Miquelon. In 2022, Canadian landings of Atlantic halibut were valued at approximately $70 million.
Every year on June 8th people around the world highlight World Oceans Day. It is a day to reflect on the state of our oceans, share our best practices and be part of a collective movement to conserve and protect them.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is committed to reconciliation and the orderly management of the lobster fishery for all harvesters. As such, DFO has worked quickly to address reports of lobster gear tampering with both moderate livelihood and commercial fishing gear in Eastern Nova Scotian lobster fishing areas (LFAs), and particularly in LFAs 26A and 27.
On May 17, 2024, an endangered North Atlantic right whale was spotted in shallow waters approximately 3 to 4 kilometers off the northeast coast of New Brunswick, east of Miscou Island. After the whale was detected, DFO instituted a 15-day temporary fishing area closure in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 23 C. The 15-day closure count begins on the day of the detection – in this case that would mean from May 17th to the 31st. Under this protocol, if a right whale is not detected again in the closed area, the area would re-open to fishing after day 15.
Following the sighting of a North Atlantic right whale in shallow waters off the northeast coast of New Brunswick last week, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) instituted a 15-day temporary fishing area closure in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 23 C. This decision was based on DFO’s sighting data at the time, and in consideration of our international commitments towards marine mammal protection, which are in place to ensure Canada’s world-class seafood products continue to be recognized as sustainable and export markets remain available.
First and foremost, I would like to thank elver license holders, Indigenous communities and the general public for the input that was shared with me on this year’s elver fishery.
