ANOTHER FIRST NATION TO LAUNCH LOBSTER FISHERY

A First Nation in southern Cape Breton is set to become the second Indigenous band in Nova Scotia to launch a self-regulated commercial lobster fishery that will operate outside the regular fishing season. The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Chiefs issued a statement saying fishermen from the Potlotek First Nation intended to head out on the waters of St. Peters Bay on Thursday. The assembly said the fishermen planned to exercise their inherent right to fish for a moderate livelihood, as spelled out in a 1999 Supreme Court of Canada decision. Most of the non-Indigenous lobster fishermen in the area are represented by the Richmond County Inshore Fishermen's Association, but no one from that organization was willing to comment.