MUSHABOOM, N.S. — A van drove through Mushaboom on Monday and an occupant threw recently caught lobsters on the road in front of the houses of commercial fishermen.
Some of those fishermen are taking it as the latest salvo in a dispute over First Nations fishing outside of the commercial season.
“I think they’re trying to send a message if they’re out throwing lobsters in front of fishermen’s homes in broad daylight,” said one non-aboriginal fisherman.
None of the three non-aboriginal Mushaboom fishermen interviewed by The Chronicle Herald wanted their names used out of concern for being further targeted.
The lobsters are thought to have been thrown from a grey van.
The commercial season on the Eastern Shore is in the spring but lobsters were being landed until at least last week by First Nations boats in Popes Harbour and Sheet Harbour. The First Nations fishermen on the Eastern Shore, along with those that have been fishing from Pictou Landing, are doing so because of the Marshall Decision. The 1999 decision by the Supreme Court of Canada acknowledged the right of Mi’kmaq to make a moderate livelihood off resources, including fisheries.
The ruling did not state what constitutes a moderate livelihood. Fisheries and Oceans Canada has been negotiating with the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs for nearly two decades over what a moderate livelihood fishery will ultimately look like.
In the absence of progress some Mi’kmaq are pursuing their own moderate livelihood fishery and establishing their own management plans.
The presence of the boats fishing outside the commercial season led to a tense meeting recently in Ship Harbour where a fisheries officer from Sherbrooke told non-aboriginal fishermen they could be arrested if they interfered with the First Nation traps.
Mushaboom fishermen recently threatened to boycott fundraising activities at their community’s fire hall if the association responsible for running it continued with plans to have Barry Gerrard play at a New Year’s dance. Gerrard is hosting one of the First Nation boats at his private wharf in Popes Harbour.
“I only provide the wharf and I don’t touch their gear,” Gerrard told The Chronicle Herald in a recent interview.
“It’s a free ocean.”
Gerrard had been joining the Mi’kmaq crew of the lobster boat tied to his wharf on the water, showing them where to set traps.
As a result of the fishermen’s concerns the local New Year’s Dance was cancelled.
On Friday Fisheries and Oceans Canada hauled and seized traps belonging to First Nation fishermen set off Sheet Harbour and Popes Harbour.
Multiple fishermen told The Chronicle Herald that they believe the lobsters thrown outside homes is a statement made in relation to them having been vocal on the issue and as a
result of the traps being seized on Friday.
In the tense atmosphere that is pervading along the Eastern Shore almost anything can be seen as being linked to the dispute. A fish plant burned to the ground in Tangier on Tuesday and while people talked quietly about whether it could be related, officials haven't drawn a link.
“It’s important for (Fisheries and Oceans) to get out in front of this to stop fishermen from feeling they need to take it into their own hands and deal with it themselves,” said Peter Connors, head of the Eastern Shore Fishermen’s Protective Association.
Connors said that non-aboriginal and First Nation fishermen work peacefully beside each other on the water during the spring commercial lobster season.
His organization wants the matter of what constitutes a moderate livelihood fishery settled in a fair way that provides reasonable access and mutually agreed upon rules for all parties — respecting both the rights of the Mi’kmaq upheld under the Marshall Decision and the large investment made by non-aboriginal fishermen to buy into the fishery.
“Our objective here is to have a peaceful settlement and for both peoples to feel they are treated with equality under the management structure,” said Connors.
RCMP said in a written statement that officers responded to a report of littering in Mushaboom on Monday and that several lobsters were found.
They are asking anyone with information to contact the Halifax RCMP at 902-490-5020.
