The battle for lobster fishing continues in Nova Scotia, Canada as Indigenous people begin their lobster fisheries year-round as they were given the right to do so 21 years earlier with a Supreme Court Decision called the Marshall Decision. The Decision granted Indigenous people the right to fish all year round for a moderate livelihood in accordance with the 1760-61 Peace and Friendship Treaties between East Coast First Nations and the British Crown. 

Non-Indigenous Commercial fishers are not thrilled that a Mik'maw nation is taking up their right to fish lobster year-round and have protested in various ways including harassment on the water, taking up lobster traps, and violence. The protesters are saying that fishing year-round will go against all conservation efforts that set specific seasons for the right time to fish.

Hakai Magazine wrote a great piece on the conflict asking four experts for their professional opinions on the issue. Their conclusions? Fishing all year round will not violate conservation efforts for the lobster fishery as conservation of this species depends on effort and not seasons. 

Link to Article: https://www.hakaimagazine.com/news/mikmaw-fishery-dispute-is-not-about-conservation-scientists-say/

Listen to the episode to find out why this matters. 

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Environmental Studies & Sciences Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lx86oh Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2lG8LUh

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Projects For Wildlife Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Oc17gy Spotify: https://spoti.fi/37rinWz

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The Guide To Mindful Conservation: Dancing In Pink Hiking Boots:Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/31P4UY6 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3f7hDJw