A simmering dispute over lobster fishing appears to have escalated into violent acts.
The dispute pits non-native fishermen against aboriginals in the southwestern part of the maritime province of Nova Scotia.
The season is closed for the summer which gives time for lobster to mate, grow and harden their shells. Aboriginals however are allowed to fish for ceremonial purposes, personal food, and social occasions.
Non-native fishermen say the indigenous groups have been engaging in commercial fishing out of season and depleting the stocks. They also say the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has not been enforcing the rules when it comes to indigenous groups.
Now it seems the conflict is heating up into violent acts.
Last week a fishing boat on land that had just been painted and owned by a non-aboriginal was partially burned in what officials say looks like a suspicious fire. They wouldn’t say if it might be connected to the current lobster dispute. Sometime early Monday morning, an indigenous fishing boat was cut from its moorings and set ablaze, later sinking in the harbour. The owner said he believes he was targeted because he was indigenous.
In September a DFO official said there were “clear indications” that indigenous groups in the St Mary’s Bay area were abusing their traditional fishing rights.
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