Wolastoqey Nation chiefs respond to pre-emptive closure of 2024 elver fishery season

The following statement was issued February 14 by the six chiefs of the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick:

WOLASTOQEY TERRITORY – We have received notice that DFO is considering closure of the 2024 elver fishery.

As acknowledged by the Minister of Department of Fisheries and Oceans, our Nation’s lack of access to the elver fishery continues to be a serious problem.

The only way forward for a sustainable and safe elver fishery is for access, supported by DFO and Canada, that respects the inherent and treaty-protected rights of Wolastoqey and provides for co-governance of the resource with Wolastoqey.

The existing system prioritizes non-Indigenous commercial fishing interests at the expense of inherent fishing rights of First Nations.

Our position remains that there be an Indigenous-led elver fishery based on enhanced monitoring of the species including dedicated funding to continue our eel index/assessment work in the Wolastoq.

Existing monitoring and resources are not sufficient to manage the conservation and protection of elver or appropriately safeguard personal safety. We are looking to continue to work with DFO to enhance monitoring and protection of our fisheries.

We continue to advocate with DFO that our inherent aboriginal and treaty-protected rights be respected and accommodated, as supported by Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution and Canada’s Supreme Court.

The Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick provides technical advice to Wolastoqey Communities on projects that have the potential to impact Wolastoqey rights.