The Lax Kw’alaams Band and members of the Nine Allied Tsimshian Tribes were in Vancouver June 17th for a five-day federal court hearing over their concerns with the Liberal Governments plans to implement a Marine Protected Area off B.C.’s coast, which they say will negatively impact their nation’s ability to fish and build their local economy.
“All we’re asking is that Canada seriously considers how this plan could impact our fisheries and way of life, and to work with us to mitigate these impacts,” said Lax Kw’alaams Mayor Garry Reece.
The Northern Shelf Bioregion, an area of 102,000 square kilometers stretching from North Vancouver Island to the Alaskan Canadian border, where the Lax Kw’alaams commercial fleet regularly fish. Lax Kw’alaams is requesting a judicial review of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans’ decision to endorse the network due to a lack of meaningful consultation and implementation of fishing restrictions throughout.
