Contested Waters: The Struggle for Rights and Reconciliation in the Atlantic Fishery

by Rick Williams (Editor), Fred Wien (Editor)

A timely anthology featuring diverse perspectives – Indigenous and non-Indigenous – on the right to fish in the Atlantic, with the goal of creating dialogue and solutions. Canadians were shocked in the fall of 2020 by news coverage of non-Indigenous crowds threatening Mi'kmaw fish harvesters and burning boats and plant buildings in southwest Nova Scotia. The crisis began when a few Mi'kmaq Nations began to issue their own licenses to community members to conduct small-scale lobster fishing to earn "moderate livelihoods", a treaty right recognized in the Marshall ruling. Non-Indigenous harvesters reacted, some of them violently, against the idea of a new fishery operating outside DFO-regulated licensing, seasons, and fishing zones. With the major issues still unresolved, numerous flashpoints hold potential for future conflict. The question now where do we go from here? With contributions from Mi'kmaw leaders, academic researchers, legal experts, non-Indigenous industry leaders, and other knowledgeable observers on all sides of the conflict, Contested The Struggle for Rights and Reconciliation in the Atlantic Fishery provides a respectful and realistic examination of Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives with the goal of encouraging dialogue and a shared search for lasting solutions.

240 pages, Paperback

Published November 8, 2022

Reviews

[Ty Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful summary of the important players and the basis of their different viewpoints. Fun seeing a lot of the people I meet with at work quoted in the book.

Good primer and expanded my understanding of Moderate Livelihood rights. Might be a bit too technical for people without a fisheries policy background.

A bit boring of course, but to be expected from something not intended for the mass market.

[Dena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read like I was reading a textbook for an environmental studies class. But, still an interesting read to learn about the conflicts between Indigenous and non-Indigenous in the Maritimes fishing industry. As one of my favorite professors from BU would say, “it’s a messy problem.” But, one with great potential to be a positive fishing area for all parties involved in the conflict.

[Sian · Rating 4 out of 5]

i have to write an 1000word book review for my class so ill get back to you with a review