April 1, 2025
We would like to share some important updates and concerns regarding ongoing interactions with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and our elver fishery, as governed by the TRP Management Plan.
Prior to the start of this fishing season, eight Mi’kmaw communities provided DFO their TRP elver management strategy. Our commitment to conservation led us to build limitations on the number of harvesters permitted per river system and to put restrictions on the quantity of elvers harvested from any individual river. We were under the assumption that DFO would respect our constitutionally protected rights throughout this process.
Regrettably, we have received troubling reports that Conservation and Protection (C&P) Officers have informed the TRP harvesters that they can fish in any river they choose – a direct contradiction to our management plan. We have also been informed that C&P officers are indicting to harvesters they can use fyke nets, whereas the TRP plan clearly stipulates that elver fishing should only occur with dip nets, as this practice is essential for protecting the elvers and ensuring that we do not exceed our harvest limits. C&P’s misinformation undermines our conservation efforts and contradicts our plan.
TRP harvesters have also long utilized the Vericatch reporting system, achieving over 90% compliance in reporting. This system is vital for our own fisheries management and supports our commitments under the TRP Management Plan. It has come to our attention that C&P Officers are now instructing our harvesters to use DFO’s software instead. This further complicates our reporting processes and again, undermines what we have established. To work Nation-to-Nation with DFO, we hired additional river monitors to oversee waterways and EMT, the DFO app, so we can be accountable with our TRP traceability and sales.
It is crucial we maintain safety and order in the field. Unfortunately, it appears that C&P is trying to utilize our TRP harvesters as a rationale to take adverse actions against fishers from other communities. This only serves to raise tensions at harvest sites, risks creating divisions among the Mi’kmaw Nation, and threatens the very foundation of our Treaty Rights.
We are deeply concerned that C&P’s actions appear to be trying to entrap individual harvesters. This approach is in direct violation of the honour of the Crown, as it pertains to our relationship with Mi’kmaw rights holders. The inconsistent communication our harvesters are experiencing from enforcement officials threatens the integrity of your community-built harvest management plan and creates confusion overfishing practices and reporting systems. Please stick to the plan.
If you are on the water and you feel there is imminent danger to yourself or others, please call 9-1-1.