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.

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.