Fisheries
The right for Wolastoqey communities to fish commercially is secured under the Treaties of 1725 (ratified in 1726), 1749 and 1760.
The Wolastoqey hold Aboriginal and Treaty Rights to fish for food, social, ceremonial and commercial purposes within Wolastoqey Territory. The courts have also held that the Wolastoqey have Aboriginal Rights to fish, which are inherent rights and independent of the Treaties.
What do we do?
The Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick provides technical advice to Wolastoqey Communities on projects that have the potential to impact Wolastoqey fishing rights – including food, social, ceremonial and commercial rights. With this advice, WNNB works to protect the rights of its community members, including in the context of Crown fisheries decisions. Details on some of the major fisheries projects WNNB is reviewing on behalf of the community can be found below.
Mactaquac Dam
Originally completed in 1968, the Mactaquac Dam Hydroelectric Facility, which dams the Wolastoq River, is in need of repairs. Rather than remove the dam, as advocated for by our Wolastoqey communities, NB Power has opted to work to repair the dam to allow it to operate for its intended 100 year lifetime.
The Wolastoqey Nation wholeheartedly supports the removal of dams throughout the Wolastoq. However, when that is not possible, it is our commitment to make existing dams less harmful to species and habitat important to our communities. Limited fish passage affects the wildlife ecosystem of the Wolastoq.
WNNB is working with Wolastoqey fisheries experts to advocate for the expansion of the dam’s fish passage capabilities from 3 species to 18 species, by providing scientific and technical information to NB Power. We hope that these recommendations will be applied to other dams in the Wolastoq.
Sisson Mine Project
The Sission Brook mine is a tungsten and molybdenum mine proposed for development in the heart of Wolastoqey territory, that poses a risk to water cleanliness and fish-bearing brooks in the proposed mine location.
Wolastoqey communities have been consulted on the process, and will continue to advocate against similar projects. Similarly, WNNB will continue to provide science and technical support to Wolastoqey communities surrounding this project.
Marine Protected Areas
WNNB regularly consults on the impacts of Marine Protected Areas and other projects in the ocean environment.
These projects are examples of the work being done by the WNNB to help support and advocate for Wolastoqey communities in regard to their Aboriginal and Treaty protected fishing rights. WNNB also supports Wolastoqey communities through fisheries negotiations and discussions with federal and provincial governments.
