Harvesting dates for guest harvesters are from Treaty Day, October 1st to October 30th.
Please see the following community release, followed by guidelines, registration form, harvesting policy and letter of communal authority.
2024 Tia’m Harvesting Guidelines
CBC’s Ka’nhehsí:io Deer covers Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government Call for Moratorium on Shrimp Fishery in Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Please see the link below to CBC’s article for more details.
Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government calls for moratorium on shrimp fishery in Gulf of St. Lawrence
PRESS RELEASE
Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government calls for moratorium on shrimp fishery in the estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence
Minister asked to issue additional lobster licenses to offset impact on First Nations and industry
-French version to follow-
December 6, 2023, Listuguj, QC – Shrimp stocks in the estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence are on the brink of complete collapse. The ecosystem is experiencing major changes caused by climate change. Average water temperatures are at recorded highs. Shrimp landings are at historic lows. The Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government is calling for a moratorium to protect what few shrimp are left.
“As Mi’gmaq, we are guided by the principle of ango’tmu’q: taking care of something in a careful manner. It would be a violation of ango’tmu’q for us to continue fishing shrimp,” said Scott Martin, Chief of the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government. “We will not fish our quota next year, and we call on the Minister to impose a moratorium.”
With water temperatures and predation by other species only expected to increase, northern shrimp stocks in the estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence are not expected to improve in the foreseeable future. Since northern shrimp plays a key role as a forage species, low abundance of northern shrimp could have negative consequences for other species that depend on them as a food source, like redfish, cod, and halibut. Weak shrimp stocks highlight the vulnerability to climate change of the entire estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence ecosystem.
Diane Lebouthillier, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, will be meeting with First Nations and industry stake holders in Québec City on December 7 and 8 to discuss the future of the shrimp fishery. At those meetings, the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government will push for a moratorium.
“We need to be realistic,” said Chief Martin. “Climate change has killed the northern shrimp fishery. That’s the truth. No one wants to be the person who hauls in the last shrimp.”
Not all fisheries are in such a dire state. Lobster stocks, for example, have never been better. Both total landing and catch per unit effort are at all-time highs. All available data indicate that the lobster stocks are healthy.
The Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government sees the lobster fishery as presenting an opportunity to mitigate some of the impact of the failing shrimp fishery. It could also be an opportunity for Canada to implement First Nations’ fishing rights under the Peace and Friendship Treaties, which the Supreme Court of Canada upheld in the Marshall decisions. The Minister could do both by issuing new lobster licences and distributing them to First Nations first, in acknowledgement the priority of rights-based fisheries.
“There has never been a better time to open new access to the lobster fishery,” said Chief Martin. “Fisheries management needs to be flexible in response to climate change. Warmer water is changing the ecosystem. The way we fish needs to change too.”
For more information or interviews, please contact:
Victoria Belton
Senior Consultant
416-997-5179
Victoria.Belton@mediaprofile.com
Mike Isaac
Communications Manager
418-788-2136
Michael.Isaac@listuguj.ca
Le gouvernement mi’gmaq de Listuguj demande un moratoire sur la pêche à la crevette dans l’estuaire et le golfe du Saint-Laurent
La ministre est demandé de délivrer des permis de pêche au homard supplémentaires pour compenser les répercussions sur les Premières Nations et l’industrie.
6 décembre 2023, Listuguj (Québec) – Les stocks de crevettes dans l’estuaire et le golfe du Saint-Laurent sont sur le point de s’effondrer complètement. L’écosystème subit des changements majeurs causés par les changements climatiques. En effet, les températures moyennes de l’eau atteignent des sommets records. Les débarquements de crevettes n’ont jamais été aussi bas. Par conséquent, le gouvernement mi’gmaq de Listuguj demande un moratoire pour protéger les quelques crevettes qui restent.
« En tant que Mi’gmaq, nous sommes guidés par le principe d’ango’tmu’q, soit prendre soin de quelque chose avec attention. Il s’agirait d’une violation d’ango’tmu’q de continuer à pêcher la crevette, a déclaré Scott Martin, chef du gouvernement mi’gmaq de Listuguj. Nous n’allons pas pêcher notre quota l’année prochaine, et nous demandons à la ministre d’imposer un moratoire. »
Comme la température de l’eau et la prédation par d’autres espèces ne devraient qu’augmenter, les stocks de crevettes nordiques dans l’estuaire et le golfe du Saint-Laurent ne devraient pas s’améliorer dans un avenir prévisible. Comme la crevette nordique joue un rôle clé en tant qu’espèce fourragère, sa faible abondance pourrait avoir des conséquences négatives sur d’autres espèces qui en dépendent comme source de nourriture, comme le sébaste, la morue et le flétan. La faiblesse des stocks de crevettes met en évidence la vulnérabilité aux changements climatiques de l’ensemble de l’écosystème de l’estuaire et du golfe du Saint-Laurent.
Diane Lebouthillier, ministre des Pêches, des Océans et de la Garde côtière canadienne, rencontrera les Premières Nations et les intervenants de l’industrie à Québec les 7 et 8 décembre pour discuter de l’avenir de la pêche à la crevette. Lors de ces réunions, le gouvernement mi’gmaq de Listuguj réclamera un moratoire.
« Nous devons être réalistes, a déclaré le chef Martin. Les changements climatiques ont tué la pêche à la crevette nordique. Point à la ligne. Personne ne veut être celui qui remonte la dernière crevette. »
Les pêches ne sont pas toutes dans un état aussi désastreux. Les stocks de homard, par exemple, n’ont jamais été meilleurs. Le total des débarquements et les prises par unité d’effort atteint des sommets sans précédent. Toutes les données disponibles indiquent que les stocks de homard sont sains.
Le gouvernement mi’gmaq de Listuguj considère la pêche au homard comme une occasion d’atténuer une partie des répercussions de l’échec de la pêche à la crevette. Ce pourrait aussi être une occasion pour le Canada de mettre en œuvre les droits de pêche des Premières Nations en vertu des traités de paix et d’amitié, que la Cour suprême du Canada a confirmés dans les décisions Marshall. La ministre pourrait faire d’une pierre deux coups en délivrant de nouveaux permis de pêche au homard et en les distribuant d’abord aux Premières Nations, en reconnaissance de la priorité accordée aux pêches fondées sur les droits.
« Il n’y a jamais eu de meilleur moment pour ouvrir un nouvel accès à la pêche au homard, a déclaré le chef Martin. La gestion des pêches doit être souple face aux changements climatiques. L’eau plus chaude modifie l’écosystème, et la façon dont nous pêchons doit changer aussi. »
Pour en savoir davantage ou pour obtenir une entrevue, veuillez communiquer avec :
Victoria Belton
Consultante principale
416 997-5179
Victoria.Belton@mediaprofile.com
Mike Isaac
Gestionnaire, Communications
418 788-2136
PRESS RELEASE
Federal Court affirms validity of recognition of Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation’s rights and Indigenous laws regarding its fisheries in agreement with Canada
Organizations representing non-Indigenous commercial fishers had sought to have recognition declared illegal and invalid
LISTUGUJ, QC October 19, 2023 — The Federal Court of Canada has upheld the recognition of the Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nations’s rights and Indigenous laws regarding its fisheries provided for in a groundbreaking agreement with Canada. The decision, made public on October 12, 2023, largely dismissed a challenge to the agreement from organizations representing non-Indigenous commercial fishers.
“The court’s decision validates our aboriginal and treaty rights as well as our laws regarding our fisheries,” said Scott Martin, Chief of the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government. “I hope that non-Indigenous fishers will now accept that our rights and laws are a constitutional fact. That is the starting point for true reconciliation.”
In April 2021, Canada and Listuguj signed a Rights Reconciliation Agreement on Fisheries (RRA). In the agreement, Canada confirms that Listuguj has a right to fish commercially for a moderate livelihood pursuant to the Peace and Friendship Treaties, as the Supreme Court of Canada recognized in the Marshall decisions. Canada also recognizes that Listuguj has its own Indigenous laws by which it governs its fisheries. The agreement creates a process that helps Listuguj and the DFO coordinate fisheries governance and enforcement.
A group of organizations representing non-Indigenous commercial fishers (the Applicants) applied to the Federal Court for judicial review of the RRA, seeking to have the agreement declared illegal, null, and void. The Applicants included the Regroupement des Pêcheurs Professionels du Sud de la Gaspésie, the Maritime Fishermen’s Union, the Prince Edward Island Fishermen’s Association, and the Gulf Nova Scotia Fleet Planning Board. Listuguj brought a motion to have the application thrown out prior to a hearing on the merits. That motion was largely successful.
The Applicants argued the RRA was invalid because Canada could not recognize aboriginal or treaty rights in an agreement before those rights have been declared by a court. The court dismissed this argument, finding that the Crown has an “obligation to seek negotiated solutions to Aboriginal or treaty rights disputes.”
The Applicants also argued that recognition of First Nations’ laws governing the exercise of fishing rights impinges on the Minister’s authorities under the Constitution and the Fisheries Act. Again, the court rejected this argument, finding that “[o]ne aspect of collective Aboriginal or treaty rights is the community’s right to exercise control over how its members exercise that right.”
The court did allow the application to proceed to a hearing on one question: whether Canada ought to have engaged with the Applicants prior to signing the RRA. The judge emphasized, however, “[i]f there is any duty on the Ministers to engage or involve the Applicants in the
negotiation process, it is not in any meaningful respect equivalent to the constitutional duty to consult Aboriginal peoples.”
“We are confident that if this case proceeds, we will prevail,” said Chief Martin. “We have inherent rights to fish and govern ourselves. These rights can no longer be denied.”
The decision makes clear that the interests of Listuguj and non-Indigenous fishers are on a different footing: “The section 35 rights asserted by [Listuguj] and acknowledged in the RRA are worthy of recognition and respect. The interests advanced by the Applicants arise as a matter of license or privilege – and exist at the discretion of the Minister.”
Despite the legal challenge, Listuguj and Canada have cooperated to implement RRA. These efforts have enabled Listuguj to exercise its treaty rights to fish lobster commercially in the fall, assume responsibility for enforcement in its lobster fishery, and, most recently, expand its lobster fishery into waters adjacent to the community that Canada previously considered unregulated.
For more information or interviews, please contact:
Mike Isaac
Communications Manager
418-788-2136
Michael.Isaac@listuguj.ca
PRESS RELEASE
Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government Expands Fall Lobster Fishery
Fall fishery now includes waters adjacent to the community that Canada previously considered unregulated
-French version to follow-
LISTUGUJ, QC , Sept. 28, 2023 /CNW/ – Every fall, the Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation (Listuguj) exercises its Peace and Friendship Treaties rights by fishing lobster. This fall, the fishery is growing. For the past 20 years, Listuguj has fished Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 21B, in the Baie des Chaleurs. Starting on September 30, Listuguj will also begin fishing further west, in waters adjacent to the community that, until now, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) considered unregulated.
“Reconciliation requires increasing First Nations’ access to resources,” said Scott Martin, Chief of the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government. “This new community fishery is a step in the right direction. It means approximately a dozen more families will have a chance to get out on the water, exercise their rights, and support themselves.”
For generations, Canada denied Listuguj’s treaty rights. In 2021, Listuguj and Canada signed a rights reconciliation agreement that requires the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to respect Listuguj’s treaty rights and acknowledge Listuguj’s Indigenous laws in fisheries.
Listuguj governs its lobster fishery with its own law—the Listuguj Lobster Law. The fishery is monitored by the community’s own enforcement agency—the Mi’gmaq Rangers. Fisheries governance and enforcement are coordinated with the DFO through the process established by the rights reconciliation agreement.
This year, the Listuguj’s fall lobster fishery is expanding. In addition to Listuguj’s usual two-week fishery in LFA 21B, a small-scale community fishery will take place in the waters west of LFA 21B, north of the Quebec–New Brunswick border, and east of the J.C. Van Horne Bridge at the mouth of the Restigouche River. Designated community members will fish using up to five traps in small boats registered as pleasure craft. In keeping with their treaty right to fish in pursuit of a moderate livelihood, community members will be able to decide for themselves how to use their catch—whether for food, social, ceremonial, or commercial purposes.
To receive the new licence, Listuguj developed a conservation harvesting plan for the expanded fishery under the Listuguj Lobster Law. Then, in collaboration with the DFO, it was agreed that Canada would sanction the fishery with an experimental licence for the new area issued under the Fisheries Act. As well, Listuguj and the DFO reviewed their enforcement protocol to ensure coordination between the Mi’gmaq Rangers and the DFO’s fisheries officers.
“Conservation is paramount,” said Chief Martin. “And so is ensuring that First Nations get their fair share of the fishery. That means we need to find creative ways to increase access. Our fall fishery is a leading example of how that can be done.”
The lobster population in the Gaspé region is healthy, with record landings being reported.
Listuguj’s new fall lobster fishery will run from September 30 to October 14, 2023.
For more information or interviews, please contact:
Victoria Belton
Senior Consultant
416-997-5179
Victoria.Belton@mediaprofile.com
Mike Isaac
Communications Manager
418-788-2136
Michael.Isaac@listuguj.ca
La Première Nation Mi’gmaq de Listuguj agrandit son territoire pour la pêche au homard automnale
Le territoire de pêche automnale comprend maintenant les eaux adjacentes à la communauté, que le Canada considérait auparavant comme non réglementées.
Listuguj, Québec, 28 septembre 2023 – Chaque automne, la Première Nation Mi’gmaq de Listuguj (« Listuguj ») exerce son droit de pêcher en vertu de traités de paix et d’amitié. Cet automne, la zone de pêche s’agrandit. Depuis 20 ans, Listuguj pêche dans la zone de pêche du homard (ZPH) 21B, dans la Baie des Chaleurs. À compter du 30 septembre, Listuguj pourra également pêcher plus à l’ouest, dans les eaux adjacentes à la communauté qui, jusqu’à maintenant, n’étaient considerées comme pas réglementées par le ministère des Pêches et des Océans (MPO).
« La réconciliation exige un accès accru des Premières Nations aux ressources », a déclaré Scott Martin, Chef du Gouvernement Mi’gmaq de Listuguj. « Cette nouvelle possibilité de pêche communautaire est un pas dans la bonne direction. Cela signifie qu’environ une douzaine autres familles auront la chance de se rendre sur l’eau, d’exercer leurs droits et de subvenir à leurs besoins. »
Pendant des générations, le Canada a nié les droits issus de traités de Listuguj. En 2021, Listuguj et le Canada ont signé une entente de réconciliation des droits en vertu de laquelle le ministre des Pêches et des Océans doit respecter les droits issus de traités de Listuguj et reconnaitre les lois autochtones de cette Première Nation dans le domaine de la pêche.
Listuguj dispose de sa propre loi qui régit ses activités de pêche au homard, la Listuguj Lobster Law. La pêche est surveillée par l’organisme d’application de la loi de la communauté, les Rangers Mi’gmaq. La gouvernance des pêches et l’application de la loi sont coordonnées avec le MPO dans le cadre du processus établi par l’entente de réconciliation des droits.
Cette année, la pêche au homard automnale de Listuguj est en pleine expansion. En plus de la période de pêche habituelle de deux semaines de Listuguj dans la ZPH 21B, des activités de pêche communautaire à petite échelle auront lieu dans les eaux à l’ouest de la ZPH 21B, au nord de la frontière du Québec et du Nouveau-Brunswick, et à l’est du pont J.C. Van Horne à l’embouchure de la rivière Restigouche. Certains membres désignés de la communauté pêcheront en utilisant jusqu’à cinq casiers au moyen d’embarcations de plaisance. Conformément à leurs droits issus de traités de pêcher pour en tirer une subsistance convenable, les membres de la communauté pourront décider eux-mêmes comment utiliser leurs prises, que ce soit à des fins alimentaires, sociales, rituelles ou commerciales.
Pour obtenir le nouveau permis, Listuguj a élaboré un plan de pêche axé sur la conservation pour la croissance de ses activités de pêche en vertu de la Listuguj Lobster Law. Ensuite, en collaboration avec le MPO, il a été décidé que le Canada autoriserait la pêche au moyen d’un permis expérimental pour la nouvelle zone en vertu de la Loi sur les pêches. De plus, Listuguj et le MPO ont revu leur protocole d’application de la loi pour assurer la coordination entre les Rangers Mi’gmaq et les agents des pêches du MPO.
« La conservation est primordiale », a déclaré le chef Scott Martin. « Comme il est tout aussi important de veiller à ce que les Premières Nations obtiennent leur juste part des activités de la pêche. Cela veut dire que nous devons trouver des façons créatives d’accroître l’accès. Notre pêche automnale est un excellent exemple de la façon d’y parvenir. »
La population de homard de la Gaspésie est en bonne santé, avec des débarquements records.
La nouvelle période de pêche au homard automnale de Listuguj se déroulera du 30 septembre au 14 octobre 2023.
Pour de plus amples renseignements, veuillez communiquer avec :
Victoria Belton
Conseillère principale
416 997-5179
Victoria.Belton@mediaprofile.com
Mike Isaac
Gestionnaire, Communications
418 788-2136
Michael.Isaac@listuguj.ca
COMMUNITY RELEASE
GUEST HARVESTERS IN LISTUGUJ TERRITORY WILL NEED PERMISSION
September 15, 2023.- Indigenous people from communities outside of Gespe’gewa’gi, will require written permission from the LMG – a Letter of Communal Authority – to harvest in on Listuguj territory within Gespe’gewa’gi, even if they are accompanied by a Listuguj community member.
The LMG implemented the Listuguj Tia’m Harvesting Policy for the conservation and protection of Tia’m (moose) resources within Gespe’gewa’gi territory. The Policy guides who can hunt and how hunting will take place on Listuguj territory within Gespe’gewa’gi. The Natural Resource Directorate, in collaboration with Public Security (Mi’gmaq Rangers) will review and process requests for Letters of Communal Authority (i.e., permits) and will manage the implementation of the Listuguj Tia’m Harvesting Policy and its Guidelines. Harvesting dates for Guest Harvesters are from Treaty Day, October 1, 2023, to October 30, 2023.
First Nations protocols acknowledge that Aboriginal rights only apply within one’s traditional territory. In recent years there have been increased reports of unauthorized harvesting and trespassing on Gespe’gewa’gi lands during the Tia’m harvesting season. The LMG’s goal is to ensure that unauthorized access is eliminated and that Indigenous people with permission to harvest on our lands are complying with our new Listuguj Tia’m Harvesting Policy and its Guidelines for Guest Harvesters.
The Listuguj Tia’m Harvesting Policy is established for the conservation and protection of Tia’mresources within Gespe’gewa’gi and is based on the Listuguj Proclamation on Moose Harvesting adopted by the Honouring our Land Mawiomi on March 23, 2019. Listuguj Mi’gmaq do not require permission to harvest and are encouraged to continue with our respectful harvesting traditions and the teaching of Netugulimg, (only take what you need).
The application form for Letters of Communal Authority is available on the LMG website.
For more information contact:
Amber Brisk, Listuguj Natural Resources Directorate
44 Dundee Road, Listuguj, Gespe’gewa’gi (Qc)
E-mail: amber.brisk@listuguj.ca
Listuguj Natural Resources Department would like to invite community members to their Ghost Gear Community Presentation happening on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 from 5-7PM at the Community Hall.
For more information, please contact Christy Metallic at 418-788-3022 ext. 3248.
To hear the harmful effects of Ghost Gear on our marine ecosystem, click below:
21B Tag Holder Information Sheet
There are 235 traps for the entire 2023 Fall Lobster Season. LMG will fish 60 traps and the remaining 175 traps will be shared equally amongst the registered fishers. Each fisher will receive 8 traps each. Community members can access 1 tag through a registered fisher. However, tags are limited.
How to register for a tag?
Step 1: Come to the Natural Resources Building during the following time slots.
Tag Registration Days: September 12th – 15th, 2023
Location: Natural Resource Building, 44 Dundee Road
Time: 8:30am – 12:00pm, LUNCH, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Step 2: Select the Fisher of your choice from the list of register fishers below.
Note, there is a limit of 8 tags per fisher. You may have to select another available fisher if your first fisher’s tag limit is reached. Choose from the following 21 fishers:
The registered fishers for the 2023 Fall lobster season are:
| 1. Marcus Wysote
2. Ryan Wysote 3. Damien Connors 4. Tim Wysote 5. Blayze Isaac 6. Roland Vicaire 7. Christopher Wilmot 8. Erick Martin
|
9. Albert Wilmot
10. Alexander Morrison 11. JD Morrison 12. Kevin Bixie Methot 13. Ethan Barnaby 14. Erik Lind 15. Patrick Martin 16. Dale Metallic |
17. Ricky Condo
18. Ronald Swasson 19. Luke Morrison 20. August Morrison 21. Jimmy George Moffat |
Step 3: Complete a “Community Lobster Tag Registration Form”
Step 4: Submit completed form to the secretary, Sylvia Barnaby, and wait for a copy.
How do I receive Lobster?
You must make arrangements with your registered Fisher on how you will receive your lobster.
How much lobster should I receive from a Fisher?
The NRD estimates that a tag is worth approximately 20lbs over a 14-day fishery.
Can I still get lobster from the Community Distribution Line-up or Register for Elder Delivery?
No. When you register for a tag, you will be unable to receive lobster through the community distribution line. In addition, if you are an elder who receives a tag, you cannot receive elder’s delivery.
Why a tag system?
The Natural Resources Directorate manages the lobster fishery by monitoring “fishing effort”. Fishing effort is measured by the amount of lobster traps in the water for a giving period of time. To control effort, there must be a limited amount of traps in the water and each trap in the water must be marked with a registered tag. The Listuguj Rangers will remove a trap without a registered tag and the fisher will be held accountable. The effort allocated to the 2023 fall season is 235 traps over a 14-day period.
Why receive a tag?
Community members prefer to receive lobster directly from fishers, avoiding the community distribution line-up.
Can I sell my tag?
Since 2018, the NR department have distributed the effort (amount of traps) equally amongst the registered Fishers. Therefore, Fishers no longer need to purchase tags to fish, as they will receive an equal portion of tags. However, community members can sell the lobster they receive if they choose not to eat it.
Community Announcement – 2023 Lobster Fall Fisheries
The 2023 Lobster Food Fishery will begin September 24, 2023 at 6:00am and end October 8, 2023 at 2:30pm. The effort allocated for this season will be 235 traps for a total of 14 days. The LMG will fish 60 tags, and the remaining 175 tags will be divided amongst the Fishers. Vessels and Fishers must register with the Natural Resource Directorate (NRD). Community members who want tags can register at the NRD. Please see the attached Schedule.
If you have questions or concerns, do no hesitate to contact the Natural Resources Directorate at (418) 788-3022. Please note, no disrespectful behaviours towards employees will be tolerated, and could result in denial of service.
Fishers and Vessels registration will open on August 28th, 2023 close on September 6th, 2023 at 4:30pm AST.
Tag Holder Registration will open on September 12th, 2023 and close on September 15th, 2023 at 5:00pm AST.
Vessel Registration and Vessel Safety Rules
If you are a vessel owner, and would like to participate in the fall lobster fishery, you must meet the following conditions:
Complete Gespe’gewa’gi Fisheries Vessel Registration Form online:
https://forms.office.com/r/rEtyUwt07i
The Fisheries Coordinator, Rachel Barnaby, will contact you if your registration was accepted.
Fisher Registration Rules
If you are a community member who would like to fish lobster this fall, you must meet the following conditions:
If you are interested in Fishing, please complete the online FISHER Registration (attached link):
https://forms.office.com/r/vqf1FYJAhf
The Fisheries Coordinator, Rachel Barnaby, will contact you if your registration was accepted.
Community Tag Distribution Rules
If you wish to receive a tag, and have a fisher catch lobster for you, you must register in person at the natural resource building from Tuesday September 12th, 2023 to Friday September 15th, 2023 during regular working hours (8:30am – noon; closed for lunch; 1:00pm to 5:00pm).
Lobster Cooking and Distribution Rules
Elder & Disability Delivery Rules
