First Nations group gets share of clam fishery, breaks Clearwater monopoly
OTTAWA — A company made up of First Nations members from Quebec and Atlantic Canada — and led by the brother of a Liberal MP — has ended a decades-long monopoly on a multimillion-dollar clam fishery dominated by industry giant Clearwater Seafoods Inc.
Five Nations Premium Clam Co., has been awarded a new licence for Arctic surf clam, following last year’s move by the federal government to hive off a quarter of the fishery from Clearwater with the stated aim of boosting First Nations participation in the profitable industry.
“This is a powerful step toward reconciliation,” Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc said in a statement.
“The inclusion of participants from each Atlantic province and Quebec will allow the benefits of this lucrative fishery to flow to a broad group of First Nations and will help create good, middle-class jobs for Indigenous peoples in each Atlantic province and Quebec.”