2020 Mi'kmaq lobster dispute

2020 Mi'kmaq lobster dispute
DateSeptember 17, 2020 – present
Location
Digby County and Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, Canada
Caused byCreation of self-regulated Indigenous lobster fishery

The 2020 Mi'kmaq lobster dispute is an ongoing lobster fishing dispute between Sipekne'katik First Nation[1] members of the Mi'kmaq and non-Indigenous lobster fishers mainly in Digby County and Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia. The dispute relates to interpretations of R v Marshall, a 1999 Supreme Court of Canada ruling upholding the Halifax Treaties, empowering Indigenous Canadians the right to fish.[1] Non-Indigenous fishers negatively reacted to off-season fishing activities of a self-regulated Indigenous lobster fishery, mainly citing concerns of potential overfishing.[2]

  1. ^ a b Slaughter, Graham (October 20, 2020). "Mi'kmaq lobster dispute: A conflict brewing since the 1700s". CTVNews. Toronto.
  2. ^ Bailey, Megan (October 20, 2020). "Nova Scotia lobster dispute: Mi'kmaw fishery isn't a threat to conservation, say scientists". The Conversation.