Four First Nations launch moderate livelihood fisheries

Four Mi’kmaw First Nations in Nova Scotia have launched moderate livelihood fisheries after developing a plan among themselves and the federal government.

The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs have announced the launch of the Kespukwitk District Netukulimk Livelihood Fisheries Plan in the traditional Mi’kmaw district of Kespukwitk, which includes Acadia, Annapolis Valley, Bear River and Glooscap First Nations.

The plan – developed in cooperation between the First Nations and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans – took effect Oct. 14, although the assembly noted that not all First Nations launched fisheries on that date.

The bands can sell the lobster through the agreement.

There are 3,500 traps including in the overall plan from licences DFO bought over the last few years, so they’re not additional traps.

DFO has said that members of the Bear River and Annapolis Valley First Nations will harvest their lobsters during the regular seasons in lobster fishing areas 33, 34 and 35.

The Unified Fisheries Conservation Alliance (UFCA) – which is an association of commercial fishery stakeholders – says it is supportive of the agreement between DFO and the four First Nations.

“The agreement appears to be a cooperative approach toward commercial harvesting that aligns with one management regime for the fishery; specially, that moderate livelihood fisheries all under DFO’s regulatory authority and science-based rules, following existing seasons, and do not increase fishing pressure in a given LFA,” reads a UFCA media release.

“We believe this is an important step in the right direction and are cautiously optimistic this model will have broader application, but there is still more work to be done,” says Colin Sproul, UFCA president. “We are happy that this agreement will allow us to move forward, side by side, with the Kespukwitk indigenous fishers on the water of LFAs 33, 34 and 35 this fall.”

FIRST NATIONS RESPONSES

Annapolis Valley First Nation Chief Gerald Toney said it was important for the Mi’Kmaw communities to work together to develop the plan and to manage fishery resources.

“For the Kespukwitk district, it was important that we built a collective approach to livelihood fisheries for conservation and stewardship reasons,” said Toney.

“We are neighbours and Treaty partners here in Kespukwitk,” added Bear River First Nation Chief Carol Potter “That is why it was so important for our communities to work together on how we would manage and use the resources in our district.”

The moderate livelihood fishery in the Kespukwitk district follows the path established by the Potlotek First Nation working alongside the DFO.

“It is important that Mi’kmaw harvesters can exercise their rights without fear of their gear and equipment being seized,” Glooscap First Nation Chief Sidney Peters said. “That is why we have been open and transparent, sharing our plan with DFO from the onset.”

The Kespukwitk District Collective Fisheries Committee will test Mi’kmaw selfgovernance strategies for the interim, managing the 3,500 lobster traps through the fishery.

Added Sproul in the UFCA’s response to the announcement of the agreement, “The UFCA has always acknowledged the importance of cooperation with Indigenous communities, and that Indigenous fishermen have a right to fish for commercial, food, social and ceremonial purposes; but we will continue to vigorously defend that science-based rules must ultimately and clearly form part of an integrated set of regulations that effectively conserve fishery resources for generations to come and ensure a fair and respectful fishery for all.”