N.B. fishermen protest at St. Andrews Wharf [Video]

It’s not what you expect to see in St. Andrews, but mixed in amongst the whale watching boats and small vessels, dozens of lobster fishing boats docked along the wharf Saturday.

Local fishermen from Lobster Fishing Area 36, which covers waters from Alma to the American border including Deer Island and Campobello Island, and their families filled both the water and the wharf as they called for change out on the water.

The protest is against what they believe is inaction by the government and a collective call for the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Diane Lebouthillier, to resign.

“We believe that she is not capable of protecting our fishery and protecting our resource,” said Fundy North Fishermen’s Association executive director, Amanda Johnson.

The group says there are three main issues leading to the protest:

•  An absence of enforcement, which they say has allowed illegal fishing and buying activities.
• Fisheries …