The Heiltsuk Indigenous First Nation is claiming victory after Fisheries and Oceans Canada closed the commercial herring fishery in Area 7 of Canada’s Pacific coast province of British Columbia after members of the First Nation occupied the federal agency’s office.
CBC News reports that the Heiltsuk claimed herring stocks had not recovered to the point where they could withstand a commercial fishery, and said it had voluntarily suspended its own gillnet herring licenses for the season.
Last week the Heiltsuk had failed to stop a seine fleet from harvesting herring during a limited opening that the Globe and Mail reports was called with little notice. The Heiltsuk then occupied the office of the DFO (Department of Fisheries and Oceans) in Bella Bella giving the department until noon Wednesday to close the fishery.
On the Heiltsuk Tribal Council Facebook page Chief Marilyn Slett thanked “Heiltsuk warriors, First Nation communities and organizations and our allies for standing with us. Your support helped us make this great victory possible.”
More information:
CBC News – Heiltsuk protest shuts out commercial herring fishermen – here
Global News – Heiltsuk First Nation claims major victory in a dispute over herring fishery – here
Globe and Mail – Heiltsuk First Nation claims victory over disputed herring fishery – here
The Tyee – VIDEO: Heiltsuk Declare Victory in Herring Dispute – here
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