‘We absolutely listened’: Minister backs livelihood fisheries plan as some First Nations oppose it

Federal Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan is standing behind Ottawa’s consultation process, as some Nova Scotia First Nations voice opposition to its proposal for moderate livelihood fisheries.

The proposal released Wednesday invited nations to negotiate short-term fishery plans with her department, which would allow them to fish and sell their catch with DFO authorization this spring, on the condition that fishing is confined to the commercial season.

It was touted as a “new path” for First Nations that want to pursue community-based fisheries — a right protected both by treaties and the Supreme Court of Canada’s 1999 Marshall decision — while they work towards long-term Rights Reconciliation Agreements with the federal government.

It was promptly rejected, however, by some First Nations leaders in Nova Scotia, who say they weren’t consulted on the seasonality condition, nor has Ottawa proved its restriction is justified on the basis of conservation.

READ MORE: Ottawa wants Indigenous livelihood fisheries in N.S. part of commercial season

“These were conversations that we had with First Nations, we absolutely listened to what they had to say,” said Jordan, speaking about the stipulations of the livelihood fisheries proposal.

“There are some who walked away from the table. We would welcome them back at any time if they want to be part of this process.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "There are some who walked away from the table. We would welcome them back at any time if they want to be part of this process."

Jordan wouldn’t reveal whether any of the First Nations she consulted explicitly supported fishing during the commercial season only, but said each short-term fishery plan can be tailored to meet individual needs. First Nations will be empowered, for example, to decide how they distribute the DFO licenses to vessels and harvesters in their community.

They will not pay for those licenses, which will come from a combination of DFO’s existing bank of available licenses and any license holders who volunteer to sell one. The minister said the priority was to get First Nations boats in the water as quickly as possible this year, while respecting conservation concerns.

1:44 Ottawa wants Indigenous livelihood fisheries in N.S. part of the commercial season

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Bruce Wildsmith, legal advisor to the Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative, said in a virtual press conference on Thursday that the federal government has the authority to restrict Indigenous fishing on the grounds of conservation, but only if it can show that infringement is justified.

To date, he added, DFO has not presented any scientific evidence to suggest small-scale livelihood fishing would damage fish stocks, although a meeting has been scheduled for March 5, during which the seasonal restrictions will be discussed.

While the Mi’kmaw were consulted on less “controversial” topics in the development of this proposal — such as escape hatches on lobster traps and the prevention of whale entanglement in equipment — Wildsmith said there was no consultation in advance about being restricted to the commercial season.

“For them to make a unilateral decision without consultation was extremely shocking,” said Gerald Toney, fisheries lead for the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs and chief of the Annapolis Valley First Nation, during the presser.

Chief Toney said he shares DFO’s conservation concerns, but his community will proceed with its own moderate livelihood fishery plan — without DFO approval if necessary — based on the Mi’kmaw principle of never taking more than you need.

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As it stands, Jordan said 35 First Nations in Canada have moderate livelihood fishing rights protected by the Marshall decision.

First Nations who pursue moderate livelihood fisheries without DFO’s blessing, however, may still face consequences. The department will increase enforcement officer presence on the water in the spring season, both to keep the peace and ensure all federal fishing rules are followed.

Asked how true nation-to-nation negotiation can take place while Ottawa still has disciplinary power over First Nations harvesters who fish without a DFO license, Jordan said this proposal is a result of that nation-to-nation negotiation already.

“We actually have developed these plans by hearing from First Nations what they want to see in them,” she explained.

“We have to make sure this is something that can happen for generations to come, and to have a fishery outside of a season that’s a DFO-approved season puts that at risk, and we can’t take that chance.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We have to make sure this is something that can happen for generations to come, and to have a fishery outside of a season that's a DFO-approved season puts that at risk, and we can't take that chance."

READ MORE: ‘Not a conservation concern’ — N.S. Mi’kmaq won’t deplete lobster stock, says expert

She said a decision has not been made yet on whether moderate livelihood fisheries may take place outside the commercial season in the long-term. In the short-term however, her department will work with First Nations “on every other aspect of the fishing plans” to ensure community needs are met.

Leaders of the commercial fishing industry are hailing her announcement this week as a “good first step,” and say they’d like the opportunity to sit down with First Nations and the federal government in a “safe space” to share their interests and concerns.

“We’re looking for safety for all, predictability and certainly out conservation goals, I think they’re all the same,” Melanie Sonnenberg, president of the Canadian Independent Fish Harvester’s Federation, told Global News.

Chief Terry Paul of Membertou First Nation said the federal government is not adhering to the spirit of the Marshall decision, which established that Mi’kmaq fishers do not need a DFO license to harvest, or to fish within the commercial season as long as fish stocks aren’t compromised.

He added that orders to fish during that season are likely to “put a target” on the backs of First Nations fishers who exercise their right without DFO’s blessing.