Tensions are rising on St. Peter’s Bay.
Members of the Potlotek First Nation in Richmond Co. launched their moderate livelihood fishery Oct. 1.
Wilbert Marshall, the band’s chief, tells The Hawk it went well early on, but officers with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans recently started seizing their traps.
“I don’t think they want another Saulnierville or they don’t want another Burnt Church (New Brunswick)- that’s what they’re going to get if they keep harassing us, we’re not backing down,” he says. “We told our guys not to talk to them, not to associate with them, but it’s kind of hard, tensions are kind of high and something’s going to happen- (if) they keep doing this, it’s going to get worse, (and) our guys aren’t backing down, we’ve been waiting 21 years.”
Marshall says DFO officers took 165 of their traps.
He says their fishermen are not taking more lobster than they need, and they’re not hurting stocks.
Marshall says band members held a rally at the Lennox Passage DFO office Wednesday morning.
DFO says the minister is aware of the matter, and has spoken with Chief Denny and Chief Marshall.
They say their relationship with these First Nation communities is extremely important to this government, and they will continue to work together to address concerns, nation-to-nation.
