DFO should not impose restrictions or limitations on what the Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia can harvest in MPAs: Twila Gaudet.

Indigenous chiefs request fishing rights in Nova Scotia marine protected areas

CANADA
Tuesday, September 18, 2018, 02:30 (GMT + 9)

Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq chiefs consider Indigenous fishermen should be exempt from any fishing ban within marine protected areas (MPA) because of First Nations' treaty rights.

"Our concerns and our input should have a greater weight in the decision making process than those of, for example, non-Mi'kmaw commercial fishers," said Twila Gaudet, director of consultation for the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs, CBC News reported.

That statement was part of a submission made to a federal advisory panel charged with developing standards for marine protected areas. The Trudeau government has committed to protect 10 per cent of coastal waters and oceans by 2020.

The advisory panel is supposed to release its recommendations this month on what activities should and should not be allowed inside the protected areas.

In their submission, the Mi'kmaq chiefs say First Nations have demonstrated their commitment to conservation but their rights to fish for a moderate living and their food, social and ceremonial fishery supercede any international commitments.

The Miḱmaq terrytory

The sprawling and pristine archipelago east of Halifax is the first proposed marine protected area with an active inshore lobster fishery.
There is a fear among those that fish in the area that a no-take zone designation could bump them from lobster grounds.

Last week, a local advisory committee held a public consultation at a local legion to discuss activities in the marine area.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) "does not expect there to be an impact on the lobster fishery" if the Eastern Shore Islands are designated as marine protected area, DFO ocean manager Wendy Williams said during a break.

In this regards, Peter Connors, who represents 170 lobster licence holders in the area through the Eastern Shore Fishermen's Protective Association, expressed their wish to reach a commitment from the federal government to prevent the fishery from being damaged if the area received a marine protected designation.

The Mi'kmaq submission to the panel does not surprise Connors.

"Our association has always supported reconciliation. Our position is for a single fishery including the Mi'kmaq and bringing them into the commercial fishery, on the same basis that everybody else does here," he said.

In a statement to CBC News, Gaudet said the Mi'kmaq are currently in consultations with DFO on marine protected areas.

"While we of course support marine conservation, we also want to ensure that DFO carefully considers all impacts that MPA designations will have on Mi'kmaq rights," she said.

"The MPA network design must accommodate the Aboriginal and treaty rights of the Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia, and our ability to fish for a moderate livelihood, as well as other Mi'kmaq fishing activities," Gaudet concluded.
 
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