US: Knives out on Maine-Canada border as lobster fishery gray zone dispute gets pointed over poaching accusations

Published 2024년 9월 16일

Tridge summary

A dispute over lobster fishing rights on the border between New Brunswick, Canada, and Maine, U.S., has led to threats, assaults, and harassment against Canadian fisheries enforcement officers. In response, up to 35% of these agents are refusing to report for duty, with concerns about their safety and lack of additional protection. The Union of Health and Environment Workers is urging the Canadian government to provide the necessary equipment, training, and support to address this unsafe working environment. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) states that while some officers are refusing to work, enforcement activities are still ongoing, and an investigation is underway into potential violations of Canada’s Coastal Fisheries Protection Act. Additionally, tensions are escalating in southwest Nova Scotia due to an unregulated Indigenous fishery, leading to reduced catches in the commercial sector.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

A long-running dispute over lobster fishing rights on the disputed border between the Canadian province of New Brunswick and the U.S. state of Maine is heating up.After being “harassed, threatened, and attacked” with shotguns, knives, and bear spray, Canadian fisheries enforcement officers appear to be pulling back on enforcement efforts, with as many as many as 35 percent of agents assigned to marine patrols in the area refusing to report for duty, according to Union of Health and Environment Workers President Shimen Fayad. Fayad’s union represents fishery enforcement officers across Canada, including around 100 conservation and protection supervisors and fishery officers in Nova Scotia and southwestern New Brunswick.“There is a history of problems in the Maritimes region, as well as other regions, dating back many years that have led to the latest work refusal by some fisheries officers,” Fayad wrote in an email to Canada’s Brunswick News. “There have been numerous threats and ...

Source: Seafoodsource