For immediate release
Lennox Island, Epekwitk (PEI) – 18 May 2025
Lennox Island First Nation is reaffirming its commitment to uphold the Treaty right of its members to fish for a moderate livelihood, following the seizure of lobster traps by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). The traps were deployed under the First Nation’s Treaty Protected Fishery (TPF).
The fishery, launched in 2022 under a self-governed management plan, was proceeding with the same number of traps used without incident during last year’s season. Despite open communication, transparency, and a track record of safe and sustainable fishing, DFO has escalated its response by seizing traps in an aggressive enforcement action.
“Let me be clear: This is a constitutional Treaty right – not a privilege, not a negotiation, and not something Canada gets to control,” said Chief Darlene Bernard. “Our Treaty Protected Fishery follows a community-developed plan that aligns with conservation priorities and voluntarily mirrors DFO regulations. DFO’s actions are a blatant violation of our rights, and we will not tolerate this kind of intimidation. It is a modest fishery that we launched on principle and it has run successfully and safely for three years now.”
The First Nation has repeatedly engaged with DFO in good faith, including recent meetings to present its 2025 TPF Management Plan, which voluntarily follows DFO regulations. Yet DFO continues to sideline those efforts and impose unilateral decisions rooted in political and policy decisions and the narrow interpretation of the Fisheries Act – ignoring the constitutional Treaty rights of the Mi’kmaq, as confirmed by the Supreme Court of Canada in the Marshall decisions. Numerous requests have been made to DFO by the Lennox Island Chief and Council to respect the rule of law and reminding the Department that the Minister has not justified an infringement of the right, as required.
“The federal government continues to speak from both sides of its mouth,” said Chief Bernard. “On one hand, it recognizes our Treaty right; on the other, it seizes our traps when we exercise that right.”
The Lennox Island Treaty fishery has created life-changing opportunities for Mi’kmaw harvesters, particularly youth and new entrants, and has relieved pressure on the Nation’s oversubscribed communal commercial licences.
“This is about more than traps or lobster – this is about our right to self-determination, economic justice, and the survival of our way of life,” said Chief Bernard. “We are not backing down. Our fishers are out there with the full support of our Nation and our ancestors behind them.”
Chief Bernard demanded the immediate return of the seized gear and called on DFO to end its enforcement campaign and return to meaningful, rights-based dialogue.
“If Canada is serious about reconciliation, it must stop criminalizing Mi’kmaw rights and start supporting them. We will defend our Treaty rights by any and all peaceful means necessary – in the courts, in the media, and on the water.”
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Media contact:
Sean Doke
902-330-4420
sdoke@lnuey.ca
