Osborne Burke said his industry association, which represents about 140 lobster processors and lobster pounds, supports treaty rights but it must be done under the rules set by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

Bernadette Jordan said Friday that while the government recognizes the Mi'kmaq treaty right to fish, the scale of the lobster harvest in the bay is exceeding proposals made by Indigenous fishers.

Nearly 300 people attended the ceremony to launch the boats loaded with lobster traps out onto the water.