In mid-October, the conflict reached a fever pitch with the destruction of property and hundreds of lobster caught by Mi'kmaw fishers at a pound … The attacks resulted in traps being cut, the destruction of a lobster pound and the burning of a band member’s van. The conflict has largely centred on whether the lobster stock is threatened by out-of-season fishing, and the definition of a “moderate” livelihood. Mi'kmaq band councillor, two fishermen face charges in Nova Scotia fishing dispute Ottawa, Mi'kmaq community on collision course over plan for second lobster season Share: The current lobster fishing controversy involves Mi’kmaq fishermen asserting their right to earn a moderate livelihood through lobster fishing. The non-Indigenous protesters and fishers are claiming that allowing the Mi'kmaq to fish is an issue of conservation. A fleet of their vessels removed 350 Mi’kmaq lobster traps from the water on the weekend of Sept. 19-20. Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller today called Tuesday night's raid on fishing facilities in southwest Nova Scotia an "assault" on the Mi'kmaw people and urged police in … While the extent of indigenous fishing rights are still being clarified through litigation, it is clear the Constitution of Canada recognizes the unique rights of indigenous peoples. The Mi’kmaq Nation has a right to fish based on treaties signed with the Crown from the 1700s that says in part that the Mi’kmaw “shall not be hindered from, but have free liberty of Hunting & Fishing as usual.” Commercial fishermen have voiced concerns that the new Indigenous fishery in Nova Scotia poses a risk to lobster stocks. The Mi’kmaq will have full ownership of Clearwater’s coveted offshore fishing licences, which allow the harvest of lobster, scallop, crab and clams in a massive tract of ocean known as LFA 41. Mi'kmaq people have put a … This paternalistic accusation disregards Mi'kmaq knowledge of the ecosystem and the research behind the community’s management plan, not to mention the simple fact that the DFO has found lobster stocks to be “very healthy.” An Assault on the Mi’kmaq Fishery On September 17, 2020, the Sipekne’katik First Nation gathered in Digby, Nova Scotia to issue licenses to community members to support a Mi’kmaq regulated lobster fishing season outside of the existing federally dictated seasons. HALIFAX — A United Nations committee on racial discrimination is asking the federal government to respond to allegations it committed racist actions in its treatment of Mi’kmaq lobster … However, this focus misses the root of the Mi’kmaw livelihood issue, namely the question of who has …