Mi'kmaq commercial fisheries co-ordinator responds to federal lobster plan

Hubert Nicholas, the commercial fisheries liason co-ordinator with the Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR) in Eskasoni, N.S. wasn’t sure exactly what to make of last month’s federal announcement on the lobster industry. “We are not sure how this will help Unama’ki communities that fish in areas not in DFO specified low catch areas, even though all of our fishermen have experienced a 25 per cent loss compared to last year. We are still waiting for details of how this will help our communities but are assured that First Nations will be treated equitably.

Nicholas also says he is concerned with how the overall $65 million will help Mi'kmaq communities. “With over 200 lobster licenses in Mi’kmaq and Maliseet communities throughout the Atlantic region, in addition to non-native licences, this money will not go far,” he says. "(And) $15 million in aid to compensate a portion of lost income in a time where market value is 50 per cent less than last year will do little to help alleviate the situation that most fishermen find themselves in.:

Nicholas said rather than the long-term strategy the federal government is providing, what is really needed is an immediate response. “While any aid is welcomed, the government neglected to mention how it was going to address the needs of First Nation communities that have communal licences in the initial release, but more details will be provided (in July) at a meeting with First Nation representatives."

The decline in market value of lobsters and increasing operating costs have had a dramatic impact on Mi'kmaq community programs that depend on profits from the lobster industry. Over the past 10 years Mi'kmaq communities have come to rely on the commercial fishery for communal benefits to its members.

With decline in market value many programs and services are feeling the strain. Profits have been cut in half and some licences are operating at a loss.

Each licence in operation creates jobs that many fishermen depend on to sustain their families. Some Mi'kmaq communities have to make a difficult choice whether to create employment and operate at a loss or to cut jobs and put a further strain on their community programs and services. "Qualifications for aid will be different for Mi'kmaq communities because of the communal nature of our fishery,” said Nicholas. “If non-natives qualify in a specific area so will First Nations. Non-natives that qualify will be in areas that have traditionally low catches, derive 75 per cent of their income from lobster, and have a catch value 25 per cent less this year than last year. Any aid will not be available until October when DFO can compare this year’s catches to last. In essence if non-natives qualify in a specific area, First Nations will as well. "DFO will provide grants up to five percent to help rationalize fleets. The aim is to help improve catches with less people fishing. It is not clear how this will affect Mi'kmaq fishers.”

Nicholas said their communities have a right to the fishery and making them pay to rationalize the fleet so that catches improve may be a cause for concern. Mi'kmaq communities depend upon this revenue and may not be willing to reduce their number of licences. “This could cause problems between non-natives and native fishermen. Non-natives may want to rationalize their fleets but Mi'kmaq may not be willing to pay for their right to commercially fish,” he said. “Will have to see how this develops when details are released over the next few months."