Please Note:
Please exercise caution when using the Middle River for recreational boating purposes between April 20 and June 24, 2011.
One salmon, two salmon, three salmon…more
This spring if you happen to be fishing or canoeing in the Middle River in Victoria County you might encounter a strange looking contraption floating on the water. Resembling a giant funnel on its side, it’s a smolt wheel, also known by the technical term–”rotary screw trap”. The smolt wheel belongs to UINR, Unama’ki Institute...
Outlook for 2011 fishery
Shrimp A Science Advisory meeting was be held in mid-December and all indications are that a 10% reduction in Total Allowable Catch (TAC) will be requested for 2011. Advice from science evaluation and industry will determine the 2011 overall TAC. Science recommended a 10% reduction and the shrimp fishing communities of Unama’ki encouraged industry representatives...
Salmon…what we know
Elder Albert Marshall may have said it best: “Plamu was historically one of the staple foods upon which First Nations people depended. It was viewed as a gift from the Creator, and it seemed that it would last forever. That is obviously not the case: the species is threatened on a daily basis. It is...
Salmon workshop to gather what we know
A special workshop on plamu (Atlantic salmon) in Cape Breton is being held in Sydney on March 7 and 8, 2011. UINR and the Cape Breton Collaborative Salmon Initiative (CSI) are bringing together interested people, both Mi’kmaq and non-native, from around the Island to find ways to work together towards the common goals of increasing...
Commercial fisheries update–1010
To keep our readers up-to-date on the state of Unama’ki Mi’kmaq fisheries, here is an update on the 2010 season so far. Lobster prices showed a slight improvement over last year because of the slow recovery of the economy. On average, the price was 10% to 20% more than last year. The slight improvements in...
Snow crab issue
Following is the presentation by UINR’s Commercial Fisheries Liaison Coordinator Hubert Nicholas made to Parliament’s Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans in Sydney on May 27. I am the Commercial Fisheries Liaison Coordinator for Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR). UINR is an umbrella organization that represents the five Mi’kmaq communities of Unama’ki (Cape Breton...
Mi’kmaq group supports salmon fishing ban
Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR) has added its support for a ban on salmon fishing in Middle and Baddeck Rivers. UINR represents the five Mi’kmaq communities in Cape Breton on issues related to natural resources and the environment. UINR is also a member of the Cape Breton Collaborative Salmon Initiate. Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq have...
Georges Bank fisheries threatened
Georges Bank fisheries threatened Georges Bank is an important fishing area located between Cape Cod and Sable Island. Under the jurisdiction of both Canada and the United States, Georges Bank is a productive spawning area for fish, shellfish, marine animals and seabirds. Unama’ki’s five Mi’kmaq bands have commercial access to Georges Bank and fishes or...
It’s all about the people…Hubert Nicholas
Hubert Nicholas must have salt water in his blood! He’s been out on the ocean fishing for as long as he can remember. He started working professionally as a fisherman’s helper in 1988 and eventually became Captain of his own commercial fishing business. Over the years, he’s fished lobster, snow crab, herring, rock crab, tuna...
Mi’kmaq Commercial Fisheries Coordinator Responds to Federal Lobster Bailout
On June 10th the federal government promised $65 million in relief to the troubled Atlantic lobster industry, with $15 million for short-term transitional contributions for harvesters who experienced a 25% drop in income this year. Hubert Nicholas, the Commercial Fisheries Liason Co-ordinator with the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR) in Eskasoni has this to...
Commercial Fisheries
Management of our commercial fisheries involves a complex range of techniques and strategies including scientific, resource, commercial, and market information. The main mechanism for communication between governments and industry is through advisory and various other fisheries committees and groups. Attendance at these meetings is critical to full participation in co-management of the fisheries.