The Sipekne’katik band will not fish its commercial lobster licences this season in southwest Nova Scotia, citing intimidation and violence that followed the launch of its moderate livelihood fishery in St Marys Bay.
The decision followed an emergency meeting Friday with fishermen working in the band’s commercial fishery.
“The consensus is that they don’t want to fish in the upcoming season due to concerns of safety. There is also the concern of not being able to sell our lobster,” said Chief Mike Sack.
“As of right now, our people aren’t comfortable taking that big risk and especially risking their life for that.”
Sipekne’katik’s decision means band members won’t fish the nine lobster licences Sipekne’katik holds in Lobster Fishing Area 34 when the season opens next month.
The First Nation still has the option to lease those licences to non-Indigenous fishermen, which could be worth as much as $450,000.
Source: Sipekne’katik backs out of commercial lobster season citing fears over safety | CBC News
The Assembly of First Nations is coming under fire for exercising their rights
Members of the Sipekne’katik First Nation prepare to go fishing in Saulnierville, N.S., on, Sept. 17, 2020.THE CANADIAN PRESS — Andrew Vaughan
The Assembly of First Nations is coming under fire for exercising their rights under a treaty signed in the Treaty of 1760-61. According to the treaty Mi’kmaq have a right to barter and trade any goods they can acquire by hunting, fishing, and gathering, so they can make a moderate living. In the 1999 Marshall Decision, the Supreme Court of Canada upheld the treaty rights of the Mi’kmaq and other Nations along the Atlantic coast when it was disputed.
Mi’kmaw are facing aggression from non-Indigenous fishermen in Saulnierville, Nova Scotia where Sipekne’katik First Nation is launching a fishery. They are having their boats surrounded, so they are unable to drop their traps and engage their rights.
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