Overview

• The federal government has proposed reallocating 50% of the total allowable catch of baby eels (elvers) to First Nations as part of reconciliation efforts.
• An additional 28% of the quota will go to a pilot program providing small licenses to individual fishermen, including employees of commercial operations.
• Existing commercial license holders, who previously controlled the majority of the fishery, will see their share cut to just 22%, with some facing reductions of up to 90%.
• Commercial operators argue the changes will devastate their businesses, citing a lack of compensation and concerns over the infrastructure needed to sustain the fishery.
• The fishery, valued at up to $5,000 per kilogram, has been plagued by poaching and violence, with stakeholders calling for stricter enforcement of regulations.