N.S. fisheries minister renews call to his federal counterpart for help on illegal fishing

Nova Scotia's fisheries and aquaculture minister says his federal counterpart's silence in response to calls for action against illegal fishing in the province's southwestern region sends a message to the industry and communities affected that she does not care.

Kent Smith wrote to federal Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier on Wednesday after receiving no response to a previous letter last month that raised concerns about illegal lobster fishing in the Clare region and public safety concerns tied to that activity.

"I'm feeling as though there's not enough priority put on this file from her and her senior leadership," Smith said in an interview at Province House.

The commercial lobster season does not begin in the region until November.

Although some First Nations fishers are practising a legal and treaty-recognized food, social and ceremonial fishery in the region, commercial fishing organizations, Smith and other politicians have expressed concern that some people are illegally fishing outside the FSC fishery and that those catches are entering the commercial market.

"Given the severity of the issue, I am extremely disappointed to have not received a reply," Smith writes in the letter to Lebouthillier, a copy of which was shared with CBC. He goes on to say that his team reached out last week to arrange a phone call and that request has gone unanswered.

"Minister, your lack of communication and meaningful action is sending a strong message to our fishing industry that you do not care, that you are content with ongoing concerns regarding public safety going unanswered, that the future sustainability of our province's most valuable export is not important, and that the economic stability of thousands of Nova Scotians is of no consequence to you or your senior leadership."

Smith writes that provincial conservation officers have increased inspection and enforcement activities in areas where they have jurisdiction, which includes licences for fish buyers and processors.

There is also an increased RCMP presence in response to safety concerns, which have included shootings and arson, though the Mounties said those offences don't appear to be related to the lobster fishery. 

"From what we hear, this is having some effect, but our mandate does not extend to the water, which is the source of the problem," Smith writes.

Some fisheries officers have refused work in the region, citing an unsafe work environment and lack of support from the minister and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Ottawa recently issued a statement contending there is no shortage of enforcement activity in the region and that arrests have been made.

But in his letter on Wednesday, Smith calls on Lebouthillier to prioritize the issue in her department and engage the Canada Revenue Agency, Canada Border Services Agency and other federal resources to help combat the problem.

Lebouthillier's communications director said the minister would respond in writing to Smith "in due course."

"We'll be happy to share a copy of that response with you once it's been sent," Gabriel Bourget said in an email to CBC.