Nova Scotia’s Fisheries Minister says while it’s the responsibility of the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans to address lobster poaching, his department is doing what it can.
Commercial fishermen are concerned about more activity this summer.
Last year tensions grew over reports that some Aboriginal fishermen were using the Food, Social and Ceremonial Fishery to sell lobsters on the black market with the help of non-aboriginals.
Keith Colwell says he’s concerned about violence this year.
He says, at the request of the industry, he’s asking federal Minister Dominic LeBlanc to set up a task force.
“Similar to 1998 and 1999, there was illegal fishing in St. Mary’s Bay. We did put together a task force at that time. It included a wide range of organizations from both Canada and the U-S. It stopped the activity.”
Colwell says his department has met with both fishermen and processors.
Last summer commercial fishermen held protests demanding DFO step up enforcement.
