Federal officials are considering reallocating a significant portion of the lucrative and contentious Maritime baby eel fishery to First Nations, reducing the quotas of long-standing commercial licence holders.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) sent a letter to licence holders outlining the potential shift, which would substantially increase the First Nations' share of the fishery to 50% of the annual total allowable catch. This move comes amidst ongoing issues with unauthorized elver fishing, which led to the cancellation of this year’s spring season.
Indigenous groups already hold a portion of the fishery, but the proposed change would not compensate commercial licence holders for the lost quota, a move criticized by commercial stakeholders. Michel Samson, representing commercial licence holder Wine Harbour Fisheries, expressed concern, stating that this approach is unprecedented and detrimental to those who have built the fishery over decades.
Elvers, or juvenile eels, are netted in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick rivers during spring and shipped live to Asia. The high demand has driven up prices and increased poaching and threats. Despite the season being shut down, unauthorized fishing persists, with DFO reporting 169 arrests and the seizure of significant quantities of gear and elvers.
Some Mi'kmaw fishermen, citing treaty rights, have been involved in the unauthorized fishing activities. The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Chiefs acknowledged DFO's proposal but stressed the need for thorough examination while affirming the cultural and economic significance of the elver fishery to their communities.
Chief Allan Polchies of St. Mary's First Nation expressed cautious optimism about the proposal, emphasizing the goal of a well-managed fishery.
DFO's letter indicated the quota reallocation aims to enhance First Nations' participation and support their pursuit of a moderate livelihood, referencing the 1999 Supreme Court Marshall decision on First Nations fishing rights. It also suggested opening the fishery to new commercial entrants, further impacting existing licence holders.
Concerns about the American eel's conservation status persist, with DFO maintaining a strict annual total allowable catch of 9,960 kilograms. A 2012 recommendation to list the American eel as a species at risk remains unresolved.
Commercial stakeholders, like Stanley King, argue that the eel population is healthy and advocate for an increased total catch to accommodate more participants. They support increasing First Nations' access through licence purchases by DFO but oppose uncompensated quota reallocation.
Colin Sproul, president of the United Fisheries Conservation Alliance, supports fulfilling the Marshall decision's rights but calls for a "peaceful transition" and criticizes the lack of compensation as unfair and potentially illegal.
Source: Richard Cuthbertson (June 12, 2024). DFO considers cuts to commercial elver quotas to boost First Nations access. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/dfo-considers-cuts-commercial-elver-quotas-boost-first-nations-1.7232482
