Fishing industry alliance to seek intervener status in court cases regarding Indigenous fishery challenges with Nova Scotia and Canada
YARMOUTH, NS June 17, 2021 – The Unified Fisheries Conservation Alliance (UFCA), an alliance of commercial fishery stakeholders, intends to seek intervener status in Potlotek First Nation’s Nova Scotia Supreme Court case challenging Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) regulation and enforcement of Indigenous fishing activities as well as the Potlotek First Nation and Sipekne’katik First Nation court cases challenging provincial regulations governing the sale of fish and fish products.
“It is important that the perspective of those who work within the multi-species fisheries every day are heard and considered as part of the court proceedings,” said Colin Sproul, President of the UFCA. “We want to ensure the court and parties involved in the case understand the commercial fishing industry’s perspective and the importance of DFO enforcement and oversight for all fisheries and the importance of the provincial regulatory regime.”
UFCA members will be directly affected if these court challenges are successful. Considering present day capacity to harvest, transport and ultimately consume fish far exceeds ocean productivity, without careful management and oversight, all species of fish can be at risk.
“It is essential that every community, Association, and fisher in the Atlantic fishery abide by the science-based rules and regulations that have been established to ensure the conservation and proper management of our fisheries for future generations,” said Sproul.
The UFCA believes Indigenous and non-Indigenous fishers can work side by side in the commercial fishery, under a unified conservation and fishery management regulatory regime. The UFCA recognizes and acknowledges that Indigenous fishers have a right to equitable access to the fishery, and the right to fish for food, social, and ceremonial purposes.
The UFCA is also advocating for the Government of Canada to provide clear, lasting and responsible regulatory oversight for all fisheries. “We want to work constructively with the Government of Canada, provincial governments, and First Nations to inform and understand viewpoints and ultimately establish regulatory certainty,” said Sproul.
The commercial fishery is vital to Canada, especially the thousands of Atlantic Canadians who work on the boats, wharves, processing plants, and throughout the supply chain. The commercial fishery is their livelihood. For rural communities and governments, the fisheries represent jobs, a tax base, and economic viability that maintains critical services for all residents.
The UFCA includes members from:
Bay of Fundy Inshore Fishermen’s Association
Brazil Rock 33/34 Lobster Fishermen’s Association
Coldwater Lobster Association
Scotia Fundy Inshore Fishermen’s Association
Cape Breton Fish Harvester’s Association
Eastern Shore Fishermen’s Protective Association
Fundy North Fishermen’s Association
Guysborough County Inshore Fishermen’s Association
Richmond County Inshore Fishermen’s Association
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Media Contact:
Colin Sproul
President, UFCA