April 29, 2022
Potlotek’s Netukulimk Livelihood fishers will take to the waters once again on Saturday April 30, 2022, for their third season, fishing under their communities Netukulimk Fishery Plan.
Potlotek was one of the first Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw communities to launch their community based Netukulimk Livelihood Fisheries in the Fall of 2020, leading the way for other Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw communities to do the same.
Beyond fishing, since their initial launch, Potlotek has also been working diligently at building management capacity and fostering relationships in the local fishing area. They take to the waters again this season looking forward to furthering the successes and relationships they have developed.
“Building relationships with local fishers who we are working alongside of is important to our harvesters”, said Chief Wilbert Marshall, Potlotek Mi’kmaw Community. “Many of our community members have family ties in surrounding communities outside of Potlotek, and we work and do business in the surrounding communities, all which makes it even more important to fishing in harmony with one another.”
The develop of the community’s Netukulimk Livelihood Plan was an undertaking of a self-governance approach to Livelihood fishing in Potlotek. Scientific research, Mi’kmaw traditional knowledge and keeping with the Mi’kmaw philosophy of Netukulimk all continues to play an integral part in their plan.
“We are proud of the Netukulimk Livelihood Fishery Plan that our community built, with input from community members, harvesters, and our own experts in the field, leading up to 2020 launch. But most of all, we are proud of our harvesters who are exercising their inherent Rights and providing for themselves and their families,” said Chief Marshall.
The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs continues to support decisions made by Mi’kmaw communities on how they will proceed with their Netukulimk Livelihood Fishery. We applaud Potlotek’s announcement of their third season wishing them a safe and successful harvest.