There are growing calls for Canada’s fisheries minister to step aside from her role.
Around 50 lobster fishers from across southern New Brunswick gathered in Saint Andrews on Saturday for a peaceful protest.
The fishers said they are fed up with continued mismanagement of the industry and failure to address critical issues.
The protest was organized by the Fundy North Fishermen’s Association, which represents fishers in Lobster Fishing Area 36.
The association claims there is a lack of enforcement in the fishing area, which extends from Alma to St. Stephen, leading to illegal fishing and buying activities.
Association members also say that Canadian fisheries officers are refusing to work due to statements from federal Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier accusing them of racism.
In addition, the association said a political agenda is driving fishery management, with input from fish harvesters and scientific research being ignored.
Fishers are calling on the minister to acknowledge the mismanagement, provide a solution and step aside from her role.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans said it continues to combat illegal fishing in the Maritimes.
DFO said there has been speculation about a lack of enforcement in light of ongoing job action by some officers.
They said suggesting there is no enforcement is false, as fishery officers are patrolling by sea, land and air.
In a statement last month, the department confirmed some officers are still refusing to work in certain conditions, adding
DFO said they respect that right and are investigating all reports of unsafe working environments, adding they are making every effort to minimize operational impacts.
The federal department said enforcement is not always visible and it may not always look the way people want or expect it to. They add they are continuing to make arrests and seize vessels and traps.
With files from Kevin Northup
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