Herring Fishery issues heating up on the Central Coast

The plans of the Federal Fisheries Department to conduct a 2014 Central Coast Herring Fishing is proving to be a rather controversial one, as it appears that issues surrounding the nature of the Fishery are starting to come to a head in the region.

The dispute stems over plans of the Federal Fisheries Department to reopen a herring fishery that has been closed for ten years.

The CBC offered up this background piece on the controversy and thje state of the herring stocks in February.

Last week members of the Heiltsuk First Nation announced plans to blockade the waters in their traditional territory as the prospect of a fishery opening gets closer, with the First Nation expressing concerns over stock levels and the need to rebuild the stock levels.

The First Nation has been seeking a meeting with Federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea, to discuss their concerns, however as of yet they have had no response from the Minister.

The RCMP have provided for reinforcements in the region to keep an eye on developments and to work towards keeping events from escalating.

A number of media outlets have been providing some background on the issue, some of which can be found below:


Globe and Mail-- Tensions rise as First Nations demand Central Coast herring fishery be called off
CFNR-- Heiltsuk prepare to defend herring
The Tyee-- BC Fishermen Stuck in Middle of DFO Legal Battle
Vancouver Sun-- RCMP descend on native community on central coast to keep the peace in herring fishery row