Lobster Fishermen Defy DFO, Leave Traps Despite Closure for North Atlantic Right Whales

In a bold act of defiance, hundreds of fishermen in the Gulf of St. Lawrence off New Brunswick’s Acadian Peninsula are refusing to remove their lobster traps despite federal closures in the area due to a North Atlantic right whale sighting.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans officially shut down several fishing zones in the region, but around 200 members of the Maritime Fishermen’s Union gathered in Lamèque and decided to keep their roughly 60,000 traps in place. They are giving the federal agency one more chance to negotiate before taking further action.

Martin Mallet, the union’s executive director, stated that negotiations are ongoing at the federal level and they hope to have a resolution within 24 hours. However, they have not received any response from federal Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier since the closure was announced.

The closure was prompted by a sighting of a North Atlantic right whale off the coast at Pigeon Hill, leading to concerns for the safety of the endangered species. Despite the closure being initially scheduled for 10 days, it has now been extended for the rest of the season.

Local fishermen, like Bernard Haché, are frustrated by the closure, stating that they only have a limited time to fish each year and the sudden shutdown is detrimental to their livelihoods. Politicians in the area fear that tensions could escalate, recalling past incidents of violence during fishing disputes.

With conservation groups highlighting the dwindling population of North Atlantic right whales, the situation remains tense as fishermen and government officials navigate the delicate balance between economic interests and environmental protection.