Elvers

• Ottawa raises catch limit for juvenile eels in the Maritimes, but complaints linger

  The fishery for young American eels, known as elvers, was shut down in 2024 after illegal fishing driven by soaring prices led to violence and arrests on many rivers.

  Canada

  Mar 25
  
• Elver fisher from Millbrook First Nation charged for allegedly assaulting officer

  A man from Nova Scotia's Millbrook First Nation faces charges of assaulting and obstructing a fishery officer.

  Canada

  Apr 14, 2025
  
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• Transfer of baby eel quota to First Nations was unfair, says federal judge

  The lucrative fishery has been the source of tension as prices in recent years have ranged between $3,000 and $5,000 per kilogram for the tiny eels, which are shipped to Asia.

  Canada

  Apr 2, 2025
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• As elver fishery season set to launch, N.S. First Nation rejects federal rules

  Canadian baby eels — also known as elvers — are fished in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Maine and shipped live to Asia, where they are grown to maturity.  

  Canada

  Mar 21, 2025
• Ottawa scraps elver fishery quota redistribution plan after backlash

  A statement from Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier's office said the minister reached the decision after listening to feedback from stakeholders in recent weeks.

  Canada

  Jan 23, 2025
• Ottawa’s proposed shift of elver wealth has a problem: some recipients don’t want it

  Tension over the fishery led to violence on the province's rivers this spring, including accusations of assault and shots fired.

  Economy

  Dec 20, 2024
• Concerns raised about enforcement in baby eel fishery if licences redistributed

  Fishers raised questions about how federal enforcement officers will cope if a proposal to increase the number of people licensed to net baby eels in the Maritimes goes ahead.

  Canada

  Dec 10, 2024
• DFO says commercial elver fishers won’t be compensated under new quota plan

  'She thinks she's playing Robin Hood, and in actuality, she's putting these fishermen in a worse-off situation than they currently are,' one licence-holder said.

  Canada

  Nov 25, 2024
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• Nova Scotia fisher says Toronto airport elver seizure welcome — and long overdue

  A commercial elver fisher in Nova Scotia says he welcomes news of the significant seizure last week of baby eels at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

  Canada

  May 21, 2024
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• Five people from Maine arrested in Nova Scotia for illegally fishing baby eels

  The federal Fisheries Department says five people from Maine were arrested in southwestern Nova Scotia last weekend for illegally fishing for baby eels.

  Canada

  Apr 24, 2024