Hai?zaqv takes legal action against `Canada’ after DFO shut down nation’s herring fishery (

By Meral Jamal  Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Since time immemorial, the Hai?zaqv (Heiltsuk) Nation has sustainably harvested wan?ai (herring) in their waters. But in 2022, one month before the spawn-on-kelp harvesting season, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) shut down Hai?zaqv’s commercial fishery, prompting dismay from the First Nation’s leadership at the infringement of their rights to steward their own territories.Now, after unsuccessful negotiations with the DFO, Hai?zaqv is moving forward with a lawsuit against the federal government for banning the herring spawn-on-kelp fishery two years ago. “We did not take the decision to commence legal action lightly,” said elected Chief Marilyn Slett of launching the lawsuit in a news release on Feb. 27. “We have worked hard to build trust and collaboratively manage herring stocks in Heiltsuk territory with DFO….

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