SUFB 1068: Is Fisheries Conservation Threatened By Indigenous Fishing In Eastern Canada?

Published: Oct. 14, 2020, 4 a.m.

The battle for lobster fishing continues in Nova Scotia, Canada as Indigenous people begin their lobster fisheries year-round as they were given the right to do so 21 years earlier with a Supreme Court Decision called the Marshall Decision. The Decision granted Indigenous people the right to fish all year round for a moderate livelihood in accordance with the 1760-61 Peace and Friendship Treaties between East Coast First Nations and the British Crown. 

Non-Indigenous Commercial fishers are not thrilled that a Mik'maw nation is taking up their right to fish lobster year-round and have protested in various ways including harassment on the water, taking up lobster traps, and violence. The protesters are saying that fishing year-round will go against all conservation efforts that set specific seasons for the right time to fish.

Hakai Magazine wrote a great piece on the conflict asking four experts for their professional opinions on the issue. Their conclusions? Fishing all year round will not violate conservation efforts for the lobster fishery as conservation of this species depends on effort and not seasons. 

Link to Article: https://www.hakaimagazine.com/news/mikmaw-fishery-dispute-is-not-about-conservation-scientists-say/

Listen to the episode to find out why this matters. 

Want To Talk Oceans? Join the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Speak Up For Blue Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakupforblue/

Speak Up For Blue Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpeakUpforBlue

Check out the Shows on the Speak Up For Blue Network:

Marine Conservation Happy Hour
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2k4ZB3x
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2kkEElk

Madame Curiosity
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2xUlSax
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2V38QQ1

ConCiencia Azul:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2k6XPio
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2k4ZMMf

Dugongs & Seadragons:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lB9Blv
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2lV6THt

Environmental Studies & Sciences
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lx86oh
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2lG8LUh

Marine Mammal Science:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2k5pTCI
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2k1YyRL

Projects For Wildlife Podcast:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Oc17gy
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/37rinWz

Ocean Science Radio
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3chJMfA
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3bnkP18

The Guide To Mindful Conservation: Dancing In Pink Hiking Boots:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/31P4UY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3f7hDJw