The Indian Atlantic Salmon Fishery On The Restigouche River: Illegal Fishing or Aboriginal Right?

Abstract

In the summer of 1986, the salmon fisheries on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Canada were plagued by turmoil and confrontation. In British Columbia, recreational and commercial fishers vehemently opposed bylaws enacted by four Indian Bands that purported to establish a commercial fishery and an independent management regime for salmon stocks in waters of the Skeena River adjacent to Indian reserves. For their part, the Bands threatened violence to fisheries officials attempting to enforce fisheries laws against Indian salmon fishers (Anon. 1986a). Confrontations on the Fraser and Skeena Rivers of British Columbia were frequent throughout July and August, culminating in a violent incident on 30 August in which 18 Indians were charged with offences, including assault and obstruction of a peace officer (Parfitt, 1986).