For a long time Miramichi Bay has turned into a bloodless battleground where fishermen from the neighbouring communities of Neguac, Tabusintac, and Burnt Church First Nation have been embroiled in a heated turf war over traditional fishing locations historically claimed by individual fleets. But now it is hoped that barren landscape will spring to life, with dozens of fishing boats leaving port and heading out into the warm currents of the bay to haul in their lucrative catches.
It is found that over 6,000 traps have been sabotaged in the past five years, boats have been rammed, and harsh feelings persisted between the respectively French, English, and First Nations communities located just a few kilometres away from one other. But, according to a spokesman with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), the animosity on the water might be cooling.
Michel Therien said the 2008 lobster season in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 23 — a vast territory that stretches from deep within the Baie des Chaleur to the southern tip of Miramichi Bay at Escuminac — was eerily quiet, with only a few incidents of trap cutting being reported. He further informed that curfews imposed in 2006 preventing any boats from leaving the wharf between sunset and sunrise, along with added paperwork and a required witness for the re-issuing of lobster tags for lost or vandalized lobster traps, made a difference.
It is expressed that fishermen are free to fish anywhere they like within their respective LFA, or in the case of LFA 23, within the boundaries of the new territorial subdivisions that were implemented in 2008. MacEachern, a fisherman, said he holds no ill will toward rival fishermen and, in fact, he says he wishes them all the best in 2009.
