
August 1st, 2024 – For immediate release
DFO increasing total allowable catch of elvers for First Nations a step forward in fairness
The Six Chiefs of the Wolastoqey Nation issued the following statement following recent statements made to the media by Mary Ann Holland.
WOLASTOQEY TERRITORY – The six chiefs of the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick scoff at the notion put forward by Mary Ann Holland in the Telegraph Journal this week that the elver fishing industry would be “gutted” should the Department of Fisheries and Oceans give an equitable share of the total allowable catch to First Nations fishers.
“Mrs. Holland has had decades to make millions upon millions of dollars for herself off our lands and waters while excluding rights holders,” said Chief Ross Perley of Neqotkuk. “Giving Wolastoqey fishers an opportunity to participate more in fishing elvers is a small step toward fairness, it will not ‘gut’ the industry.”
Holland, who is a commercial license holder and owner of Brunswick Aquaculture Limited and Alder Seafood Limited has made several egregious claims against the Wolastoqey Nation, its leadership and its members in both the media and in court proceedings, such as attempting to paint all First Nations fishers as poachers rather than rights holders; she has even gone as far as trying to define what is and isn’t Wolastoqey territory.
“Mrs. Holland needs to recognize that our people have fished these waters and hunted on these lands since time immemorial, for generations upon generations before her family has ever stepped foot along these rivers to set their first fyke net, and we will be here for generations more,” said Chief Allan Polchies of Sitansisk. “Wolastoqey people have constitutionally protected inherent and treaty rights to fish. Our treaty rights are rooted in the Peace and Friendship Treaties and have been affirmed by the Supreme Court. The courts affirm that we have every right to be caretakers and participants in this fishery, more so than any license holder does. Mrs. Holland is a stakeholder, not a rightsholder. Her not being able to pass down a license does not supersede constitutionally protected rights.”
“We find it very offensive that Mrs. Holland would call DFO’s engagement with industry “box-checking” when this is something that Indigenous peoples experience all the of time while trying to make a livelihood off our own lands, waters and resources,” said Chief Tim Paul of Wotstak First Nation. “Mrs. Holland’s view of reconciliation coming at the expense of industry comes off willfully ignorant when it is industry that continues to keep Indigenous peoples down while they exploit our lands, waters and resources, not only here in Wolastoqey territory, but across the region.”
Holland’s latest comments to media comes on the heels of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans announcing that they are considering raising the total quota of elvers for First Nations to a more equitable 50% of the total allowable catch, up from the previous 13.7% from last year.
“We welcome the new change and hope that not only is the total allowable catch redistributed equitably, but that the areas in which authorized fishing will be re-evaluated as well. We are committed now, as we have been for thousands of years, to an equitable and sustainable fishery,” said Chief Gabriel Atwin of Pilick. “In fact, the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick is currently undertaking research for a clearer view of elver stocks and what a sustainable total allowable catch could be.”
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Media contact:
Logan Perley
Communications Coordinator
506-429-7120