The federal Fisheries Department says it is investigating reports of fishing gear tampering in lobster fishing areas in eastern Nova Scotia. Fishermen load their traps in Lower West Pubnico, N.S., on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
HALIFAX - The federal Fisheries Department is looking into reports of gear tampering in lobster fishing areas in eastern Nova Scotia.
The department released a statement on Thursday, noting that both Indigenous fishers involved in authorized moderate livelihood fisheries and non-Indigenous commercial fishers have reported tampering incidents in two fishing zones.
The affected lobster fishing areas are 26A, encompassing the eastern part of the Northumberland Strait, and area 27, stretching from the tip of Cape Breton near Meat Cove to an area on the east side of the island near Garbarus.
Conservation and protection officers have been dispatched to discourage further tampering, as it constitutes an offense under the Fisheries Act, carrying a fine of up to $100,000.
Gear tampering obstructs Indigenous harvesters from exercising their treaty rights and supporting their families, the statement emphasizes.
Indigenous moderate livelihood fisheries have been authorized in these areas and others for the past four years. The department has reissued interim authorizations for this season to the First Nations of Potlotek, Eskasoni, Pictou Landing, and We'koqma'q L'nue'kati, allowing designated members to catch and sell lobster.
The department collaborates with Indigenous communities to negotiate supportive approaches that enable community members to fish for a moderate livelihood, as affirmed in the Supreme Court of Canada's Marshall decisions.
"DFO supports this moderate livelihood fishery, and fishery officers are in the field each day, working with designated community members to ensure they can fish within the conditions of their authorization and in accordance with the measures outlined in their community-developed fishing plans," the department states.
