Between June 1 and Sept. 19, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) made 31 arrests related to alleged illegal lobster fishing in Southwest Nova Scotia, seizing vessels and gear and releasing thousands of pounds of lobster back into the ocean.
“Investigations connected to these arrests are ongoing,” said Debbie Buott-Matheson, manager of strategic communications for DFO.
According to DFO’s enforcement news bulletin on Sept. 17, since June 1, fishery officers in Southwest Nova Scotia completed 61 plant inspections, inspected 3,347 lobster traps and seized 1,287 traps, seized five fishing vessels, and seized and released 12,488 live lobsters back to the ocean. Nineteen crates of lobster were also seized and approximately 1,900 pounds of lobster released. Lobster trap seizures have been attributable to violations of licence conditions, including fishing during closed times in designated waters, failure to report lost gear, failure to tag traps and other non-compliance issues.
Buott-Matheson said each summer and fall, the lobster fishing areas (LFAs) in Southwest Nova Scotia (SWNS) see increased activity as Indigenous harvesters participate in the DFO-authorized food, social and ceremonial (FSC) lobster fishery.
“The size of the fishery this year is similar to what it has been in the last several years,” she said.
“The harvesting of lobster for FSC purposes in SWNS — including St. Mary’s Bay (LFA 34) — is authorized to happen outside of the commercial season by those holding a DFO licence. First Nations can then designate individual harvesters to fish for lobster under their community FSC licence,” said Buott-Matheson.
The right is upheld by the 1990 Supreme Court Sparrow Decision and recognized under section 35 of the Constitution, and allows Indigenous communities to fish for FSC purposes. However, the sale, barter, or trade of FSC catch is illegal and subject to Fisheries Act enforcement.
“The level of active fishing determines the level of enforcement activity for any fishery. Fishery officers in Southwest Nova Scotia completed 91 patrols through July and August, and enforcement will continue. Fishery officers are conducting enforcement activities to deter and prevent unauthorized lobster harvesting without a licence, as well as illegal sales, and to ensure licence conditions are being followed,” said Buott-Matheson.
“All lobster fishing is effort-based. That means that the level of harvest is controlled by applicable fisheries management measures, including the number of lobster traps that can be fished, and the number of lobsters that can be retained, as defined in the licence conditions. It is expected that all harvesters and licence holders follow the conditions of the licence and all other applicable regulations. Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s main priority is a safe and orderly fishery,” said Buott-Matheson.
Fishery officers work with various partners to conduct enforcement activities to deter and prevent unauthorized lobster harvesting without a licence, including out of season fishing, and illegal sales.
“Fishery officers enforce the Fisheries Act and licence conditions. Police/RCMP are responsible for responding to threats, violence, or disturbances in the community. If people feel unsafe or witness unrest, they should contact their local police/RCMP. Suspected illegal fishing or illegal sales should be reported to DFO,” advised Buott-Matheson.
Anyone who has information on suspected unauthorized activities is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or their local Conservation and Protection detachment.
