In a sharp three-piece black suit and impeccably groomed hair, Matthew Cope appears far from a casual lobster fisherman as he enters the Dartmouth, N.S. courthouse aboard Mystique Lady. Cope yearns to be out on the water, where his legal worries momentarily fade. However, his courtroom presence stems from his desire to fight for his children’s rights to a livelihood in fishing.
As a Mi’kmaw individual, Cope faces federal charges for exercising his right, affirmed by Canada’s top court, to fish for a “moderate livelihood.” Beyond the legal battle, Cope and fellow First Nations fishers selling their catch without official authorization are accused by some in the commercial sector of fueling criminal activities and jeopardizing lobster populations.
The fifth estate delved into these claims and discovered that government research does not substantiate the allegations of lobster stock endangerment due to what is labeled as “illegal” trading. Despite lacking official support, these narratives have exacerbated tensions between Acadian coastal communities and the primary First Nation group in the region, both on land and at sea.
Steering his vessel towards St. Mary’s Bay in Nova Scotia’s lobster fishery, Cope reminisces about the day federal fisheries officers intercepted his lobster traps five years ago. Asserting that he was fishing under a treaty, Cope’s defiance against charges for fishing outside regulated seasons stems from his belief in upholding ancestral rights enshrined in 1700s treaties with the British Crown.
While Cope and other First Nations fishers participate in the commercial season, they also engage in year-round legal lobster harvesting for ceremonial use or community sustenance under Food, Social, Ceremonial (FSC) permits. Despite strict trap limits and quotas, allegations of illegal sales persist within these fisheries, prompting scrutiny and enforcement actions by authorities.
Amidst industry debates and regulatory complexities, the lobster fishing landscape remains fraught with challenges regarding treaty rights, conservation concerns, and the clash between traditional practices and commercial interests. As stakeholders grapple with the way forward, the balancing act between upholding treaty rights and safeguarding resources continues to shape the lobster fishing industry in Nova Scotia.