Lobster dispute boils over in Guysborough County
A Sunday morning dispute between Gusborough County lobster fishermen has boiled over into a series of events where one boat rammed another and two young fisherman are now facing assault charges for allegedly seeking to even the score.
Mounties responded at 6 a.m. Sunday after fielding a complaint of one fishing boat deliberately ramming another.
“Although no one was hurt, one fishing boat was damaged,” said an RCMP news release.
“Following the initial investigation, police have determined that the dispute which led to this incident stemmed from recent changes to fishing licences in the area, although all parties involved were fishing legally.”
The RCMP have arrested the skipper allegedly responsible for doing the ramming.
“He is facing charges of mischief causing danger to life and uttering threats and is scheduled to attend Antigonish Provincial Court on August 15.”
On Monday just before 8 p. m. Mounties responded to a complaint of one man assaulting another.
“Police believe this event is related to the boat-ramming event, and three people have been arrested in relation to the incident. The victim sustained injuries requiring transport to hospital.”
Mounties arrested a 26-year-old man from Ecum Secum a short time later.
“He was held in custody and appeared in Antigonish Provincial Court on May 15, where he was released on conditions. He is scheduled to return to court on May 30, and is facing charges of Assault Causing Bodily Harm.”
A 27-year-old from Beaver Dam, who investigators believe was also involved in the assault, turned himself in to the Sherbrooke Detachment on Tuesday, just after noon.
“He is also facing charges of assault causing bodily harm and is scheduled to appear in Antigonish Provincial Court on September 12. He was released on conditions to have no contact with the victim. A third man, a 52-year-old from Ecum Secum is also facing a charge of Assault Causing Bodily Harm and is scheduled to attend Antigonish Provincial Court September 5.”