Charges linked to fisheries dispute

The Meteghan RCMP have laid a charge of disobeying a court injunction and charges of unsafe operation of a vessel following incidents in

St. Mary's Bay alleged to have occurred during an ongoing fisheries dispute.

The RCMP have charged two people with unsafe operation of a vehicle stemming from separate incidents. The charges were laid under the Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations for unsafe activity in St. Mary's Bay near Saulnierville.

On Nov. 26, the RCMP charged 34-year-old Brandon Alexander Maloney, of Hants County, for unsafe operation of a vessel in relation to an incident that took place Sept. 20 in St. Mary's Bay. Maloney was a fisheries manager for Sipekne'katik at the time of the alleged incident.

He has since been elected to council and no longer holds that manager position.

Also charged is 26-yearold Shaquest India Miller of Yarmouth County, for unsafe operation of a vessel, relating to an Oct. 12 incident, in

St. Mary's Bay.

Both are scheduled to appear in Digby provincial court on Feb. 15.

The RCMP are not providing details of the alleged incidents.

"The details are going to be presented before the court," said RCMP Sgt. Andrew Joyce. "At present can only say unsafe operation of a vessel. I cannot add additional."

The RCMP have also charged a Digby County man for disobeying a court order in relation to activity on Oct. 23 in St. Mary's Bay off Saulnierville. In a media release the RCMP say on that day they received a report of a vessel steaming toward another vessel that had to maneuver to avoid a potential collision. On Friday, Nov. 27, RCMP charged 42-year-old, Dale Richard Wagner of Digby County with disobeying an order of the court in relation to an interim injunction filed by the Sipekne'katik First Nation band and council, which was dated Oct. 20 by the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia.

Wagner is scheduled to appear in Digby Provincial Court on Feb. 15.

Sipekne'katik filed the court injunction to restrict access to specific fishery operations. The injunction also covers acts of aggression such as blockades, threats, harassment, intimidation or interference of any kind. The injunction specifically cites the Saulnierville and Weymouth wharves, as well as a lobster pound near New Edinburgh, as areas under injunction protection.

The RCMP say anyone with information about incidents alleged to have occurred in the bay during the ongoing fisheries dispute can contact Meteghan RCMP at 902645-2326. People can also remain anonymous by calling Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or using the P3 Tips App.

The RCMP say their investigations are ongoing.