To help address concerns about Passamaquoddy fishermen from the U.S. and Canadian sides of the border being able to lobster in Passamaquoddy Bay under a fisheries management plan that is still being negotiated, the Fundy North Fishermen's Association hosted a meeting attended by about 85 fishermen and members of their families on March 15 in St. George. The association represents fishermen from Deer Island and Campobello and along the New Brunswick mainland up to St. Martin's.
     The Peskotomuhkati (Passamaquoddy) Nation at Skutik has been negotiating with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans regarding their entrance to the fishery as part of their treaty negotiations with Canada to define their rights. The Peskotomuhkati are on a path toward federal recognition and recently acquired a 2,500-acre parcel north of St. Stephen to reconnect to their territory. Because the Passamaquoddys' traditional territory stretches from the Penobscot River in Maine to Point Lepreau in New Brunswick, issues involving the rights of Passamaquoddys living in Maine in the framework agreement for recognition in Canada will require careful negotiation.
     Maria Recchia, executive director of the fishermen's association, says that while fishermen came to the meeting "with a lot of concerns" about a Passamaquoddy fishery, she feels they left with a greater understanding about it and were supportive of the direction that the association has taken "to build a relationship with the Peskotomuhkati and to continue meeting with them."
     Noting that there were "a lot of rumors that something was going to happen" that would "be detrimental to members," she points out that, until the fisheries plan is completed, "we don't know what the impacts will be." She believes that fishermen are now "taking a breath and realizing the rumors are premature." She adds, "Once we know what kind of fishery they will have, there will be further meetings with our members, and we'll see if mediation measures may be possible."
    Among the fishermen's concerns were a Peskotomuhkati fishery being conducted before a management plan has been put in place. "The fishermen want rules and enforcement," she notes. They also were concerned about a lobster fishery occurring outside of the Lobster Fishing Area 36 season, which runs from the second Tuesday of November to July 9, with a closure during the winter. "A summer and fall fishery is where the tensions are," she explains, as Canadian fishermen would not be able to fish then. Recchia notes that during the summer and fall the lobster population is quite dense close to shore, so the "catching potential is much higher." Canadian fishermen are concerned that a harvest coming in from a small area could affect them. "It's the unknown that's stressing people out."
     "We don't know if that's being considered," she notes of a summer and fall fishery. "The Peskotomuhkati have not settled on anything yet."
     She adds, "We understand that many Fundy North fishermen fear loss to their livelihoods. It is our intention to work tirelessly to minimize negative impacts and to prevent conflict on the water."
     While the fishermen's association has not been involved in the negotiations between the Peskotomuhkati and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Recchia says Fundy North's board, staff and a small committee have participated in numerous discussions "at the very gracious invitation from the Peskotomuhkati First Nation." She adds, "The goal of these meetings is to build relationships and to keep lines of communication open. Discussions have been frank, and we appreciate the openness of the Peskotomuhkati Nation and their willingness to engage in dialogue with us." She says that during the dialogue the fishermen's association can "provide information on what will cause conflict."
      Concerning the Peskotomuhkati, Recchia adds, "They do not want to see conflict in the area, but they will assert their treaty rights." She understands that the fisheries plan will focus first on a fishery for food, social and ceremonial purposes, with a commercial fishery to be considered later.
     "I understand the Peskotomuhkati at Skutik band wants to do something responsibly and not cause major turmoil for their neighbors. Hopefully they'll have a fishery that works for their community and not create a lot of conflict."