Public and Authorities in High-Value Species Enforcement: Insights from Commercial Lobster and Glass Eel Fisheries

• In Event: Addressing Marine Wildlife Crime: Legal Frameworks, Trafficking Networks, and Enforcement Challenges

Abstract

This presentation examines the relationship between the public and authorities in enforcing regulations on high-value species in illegal fishing through two studies. One focuses on the long-term commercial lobster fisheries, a cultural symbol in Atlantic Canada. The other investigates the tumultuous 2023 season of glass eel fisheries, developed in the 1990s, which was terminated due to violence related to IUU fishing.

Study 1: American Lobster (Homarus americanus). This quantitative study examines public involvement in infraction reporting and its geographical variations in management of commercial fisheries for lobster in Atlantic Canada. Using fishing violation records from 2011 to 2021, Chi-square tests of independence compare offenses originating from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and those reported by the public across type of reported infractions, license status, and response by fishery officers (n= 13,286).

Study 2: Glass Eel (Anguilla rostrata). This qualitative study focuses on the relationship between authorities (e.g. Minister's office, resource managers, fishery officers), and the public in the context of commercial fisheries for glass eel. We used a corpus of data from media sources and over 100 hours of field observations and interviews with Canadian glass eel harvesters.

Results from the quantitative study indicate that trends are consistent across regions for most infractions, except for the illegal trade and transportation of lobster. Moreover, authorities often respond repressively when the public reports, but it is uncertain if this

approach continues through the judicial process. These results complement the qualitative study, which raises questions of ethics and equity. In both cases, there is a gap between priorities and expectations of the public regarding law enforcement. We reflect whether the issue stems from a lack of resources or from internal tensions within DFO. The continuum of justice—from infraction detection to authority intervention and judicial processing—is also examined.

Authors

• Véronique Chadillon-Farinacci, Université de Moncton

• Ellie Côté, Université de Moncton

• Marc-Antoine Haché De Grâce, Université de Moncton