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MAY 8, 2000

Mi'kmaq fisherman defied rules of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and set their own lobster traps this past weekend. The DFO wants all traps marked with their tags but Native fisherman contend they don't need DFO tags and are using the ones issued by the Burnt Church First Nation.

Last year's Marshall decision upheld the rights of Native fisherman to maintain a livelihood from fishing.

On Saturday, the Burnt Church began issuing their tags under its own fisheries program. When the DFO immediately confiscated the traps, band members accused the DFO of violating its treaty rights. Women have actively participated in this year's season.

The DFO left traps alone on Sunday. However, yesterday they said they will continue to confiscate the traps.

Get the Story:
Burnt Church native band not backing down (CBC 5/8)
Burnt Church natives fish under new management (CBC 5/8)
Natives defy Ottawa (The Halifax Daily News 5/8)
Native fishermen set lobster traps in N.B. (CBC 5/7)