The University of British Columbia鈥檚 Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries (IOF) has thrown it鈥檚 support behind Mi鈥檏maq lobster fishermen on the grounds that protesters鈥� claims of a conservation crisis in the Nova Scotia waters are not credible.

鈥淲e strongly denounce the acts of violence perpetrated against Mi鈥檏maw harvesters pursuing their rights, and also denounce any claim that such actions are justified in the name of conservation,鈥� A IOF statement reads. 鈥淭here is no credibility on biological grounds to the conservation concerns, given the terms of the fishery initiated by the Mi鈥檏maw community.鈥�

The follows a tense week in the Atlantic province where non-Indigenous protesters clashed with Sipekne鈥檏atik fishermen and vandalized property.

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The Sipekne鈥檏atik are conducting a fishery outside of the federally regulated season based on a 1999 Supreme Court of Canada decision ruling East Coast Indigenous groups have the right to fish for a 鈥渕oderate livelihood,鈥� though a second ruling stated this was subject to federal regulation.

鈥淲e respect the rule of law and abhor the use of violence for settling disputes,鈥� IOF stated.

The school鈥檚 stance follows an identical statement of solidarity from Dalhousie University鈥檚 Department of Biology.

Both institutions are calling on Canada鈥檚 fisheries minister, Bernadette Jordan, to support the creation of a fisheries management regime that embraces Mi鈥檏maw rights and establishes new and effective measures for conservation and fishermen鈥檚 livelihoods in the coastal communities.

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