Memorandum From Chief and Council Re: Regulating the ERB FSC Fall Fishery

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Listed below are tentative changes to the fall fisheries, they are not set in stone. This is a start of long-term process to reform ERB Fisheries and make it equitable and fair for all ERB community members. The suggested regulations are intended to regulate ERB’s Food Social Ceremonial (FSC) fall lobster fishery and to protect the long-term health and wellness of the lobster population. We are all Mi’gmaq, as you reflect on the proposed regulations below, please consider the FOUR VALUES of NETUKULIMK – Respect, Responsibility, Relationship, Reciprocity.

On September 2, 2025, at 4:30 we invite you all to a community meeting in the ERB Elder’s Room to share your perspectives on these proposed changes. This will be a live-streamed event. The list below is a starting point for a comprehensive, community-led restructuring (self-correcting) of ERB’s entire fisheries program. We realize that ERB Fisheries has evolved into a complicated and decisive issue, so we ask each person who attends to focus on the fall fishery solely. Self-correcting ERB Fisheries is going to be a long-term process and each issue will be dealt with in its own time.

M’set Nogma – All My Relations

Tentative Regulations for ERB FSC Fall Fishery 2025

  1. The 2025 ERB FSC Fall fishery will run from SEPTEMBER 8 to OCTOBER 13
  2. BUOY IDENTIFICATION: all buoys must be clearly marked with the band number of an ERB community member.
  3. TRAP TAGGING: every trap must be tagged with an ERB lobster tag, no exceptions.
  4. FISHING BOUNDARIES: traps must remain within designated fishing boundaries, any traps set outside will be immediately removed from the water.
  5. LIABILITY: ERBFN is not liable nor responsible for lost, damaged, or removed traps.
  6. WEIGH STATIONS: lobster weigh stations will be set up at Dalhousie Wharf and the Boating Slip on the Bar Stretch.
  7. FEMALE LOBSTER: all female lobsters from 115-129 mm must be returned to the water.
  8. GAUGE: Every vessel must have an 81mm gauge, no exceptions.
  9. BERRIED LOBSTER: all berried lobster must be returned to the water.
  10. TAGS DISTRIBUTION: tags will be distributed in-person in the ERB Elder’s Room on Wednesday September 3rd at 11am, ERB members must be present in-person and sign for their tag themselves on this day, no exceptions.
  11. BOAT CREW: all boat crew must have a valid ERB status card to be present on any vessel, all boat crew must be ERB band members.
  12. FISHERIES COMMITTEE: a community-led fisheries committee will be established in collaboration with ERB Chief and Council and community members, this committee, its design, scope of responsibilities, and duties will be collectively agreed upon in a fair and equitable way.