Overview

• The 2025 elver season has been largely peaceful on rivers like Gold River, where Mi’kmaq fishers work under the KMK-managed quota system.
• The federal agreement allocates 1,900 kilograms, or 20% of the Maritime elver catch, to eight Mi’kmaq First Nations, emphasizing conservation through small quotas and a ban on fyke nets.
• Some communities, such as Sipeknekatik First Nation, reject the quota system, leading to arrests, charges, and the seizure of 60 kilograms of elvers in late April.
• Commercial licence holders face significant financial losses due to the quota reallocation, with no federal compensation provided, while elver prices have dropped from $5,000/kg to $1,500/kg.
• The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is collaborating with KMK to integrate Indigenous harvest data into the federal traceability system to ensure compliance and transparency.