An announcement on Friday evening about the upcoming sportfishing season has resulted in some strong backlash.
The province said that the season is on hold for a month until at least May 1 due to the state of emergency around COVID-19.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell says the delay is consistent with closure of parks, beaches and other activities where people gather.
The Minister noted that any licenses that have been purchased already will be valid once the season opens.
Fishers argue that sportfishing is not a group activity, and is typically done in isolation.
A petition asking the government to reconsider the delay is circulating online, with more than 4,500 signatures so far.
