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Minigoo Fisheries is owned and operated by the Lennox Island First Nation. As such, it is the only lobster processing plant in Canada owned and
operated by aboriginal people. The workforce includes aboriginal and non aboriginal workers from nearby communities working side by side on the
production line. The processing facility is located on aboriginal lands in the province of Prince Edward Island, operating under a Government of
Canada processing licence.
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Visit Minigoo Website
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Fisherman's Pride Inc. has been in existence for 7 years. It is a primary resource harvester and seller of inshore seafood, based on the Lennox Island First Nation
reserve, on Lennox Island. Fisherman's Pride is a communal commercial stakeholder in the inshore fishery, owning and administering a variety of fishery licenses and quotas.
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Visit Fisherman's Pride Website
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HyWater Fine Foods is the exclusive marketer of lobster products processed by Minigoo Fisheries. The new brand was introduced to international
buyers during the Boston Seafood Show and the Brussels Seafood Show in the spring of 2010 to what has been termed " a very positive response.
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Visit HyWater Website
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The Lennox Island First Nation manages and participates in a commercial fishery and a food, social, and ceremonial fishery.
In 1990, the Supreme Court of Canada issued a landmark ruling in the Sparrow decision. This decision found that the Musqueam First Nation has an Aboriginal
right to fish for food, social and ceremonial purposes. The Court found that where an Aboriginal group has a right to fish for food, social and ceremonial
purposes, it takes priority, after conservation, over other uses of the resource. The Supreme Court also indicated the importance of consulting with Aboriginal
groups when their fishing rights might be affected.
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In response to this decision, and to provide stable fishery management, Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) launched the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS)
in 1992. The AFS is applicable where DFO manages the fishery and where land claims settlements have not already put a fisheries management regime in place.
Lennox Island First Nation enters into AFS agreements with DFO each year.
The Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in the Marshall case in the fall of 1999. In essence, the court said that Treaties signed in 1760 and 1761 by Mi'kmaq
and Maliseet communities include a communal right to hunt, fish and gather in pursuit of a 'moderate livelihood'.
To address the Marshall decision, Fisheries and Oceans Canada set out to negotiate interim fishing agreements that would give First Nations the opportunity to succeed
in the commercial fishery. Agreements have been successfully negotiated with 31 of the 34 affected Aboriginal communities.
Lennox Island First Nation has adopted a forward thinking approach to Marshall Agreements. The Lennox Island First Nation seized the opportunity that the Marshall
decision provided by developing a long-term fishery plan based upon community needs, aspirations, and "real" opportunities. The Band uses a community-based management
structure in the management of both the commercial and food, social and ceremonial fisheries.
Lennox Island Fisheries today employs more than 100 people, native and non-native alike. The majority of these jobs are involved in fish harvesting, but plans are underway
to diversify the Band's involvement in the fishing industry to include processing plants, marketing, aquaculture, and gear and supply retail outlets.
Lennox Island's forward thinking in regards to it's involvement in the fishing industry has provided it with a solid foundation for a stable economy. The Band looks to have
continued success and sees limitless possibilities for it's future.
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Requests for social or ceremonial tags must be received, in writing at least 10 days prior to the social or ceremonial event. Unless the event is for the community,
you must supply your own bait and traps. Please provide the following information in your request:
1. The name of the event.
2. The date of the event.
3. The number of participants.
4. The number of lobsters required.
5. The dates you will be fishing.
You must turn in your tags immediately on your last day of fishing.
When you request is approved, you must make arrangements with the Fisheries Director for a Monitor to accompany you on your boat. The Monitor must be present to
observe the measuring and the count of your catch.
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Your request for replacement tags must be in writing and you must turn in your old tag if available. Your old tag number will be voided
and both the old and the new tag numbers will be given to the Monitors, the Guardians and DFO.
Management plan (rules)
As a service and a reminder, we are posting the management plan for your review.
As a further reminder, ALL catches must be monitored at the Lennox Island wharf.
ANY CATCHES NOT MONITORED WILL RESULT IN REPOSSESSION OF YOUR TAG PLUS THE LOSS OF ACCESS TO THE FOOD FISHERY FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS.
We have created a list of all tag numbers for:
a) all fishers
b) fishers who are fishing for elders
c) fishers who are fishing ONE other tag with an attached doctor’s note
d) Off reserve fishers
e) employees of the Fisheries Program who are eligible to have another person fish for them.
This list is revised/updated on a daily basis and is given to the Monitors, the Guardians, the Band Council and to DFO.
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Lennox Island © 2010 Created by Spry Consulting
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