by Marc Laframboise MMNN Contributor

Over the last ten years, Mi’kmaq and Maliseet First Nations (MMFNs) have made great strides in the development of oyster farms. Six Indigenous communities have added oyster farming to the operations of their commercial fisheries enterprises (CFEs). We will examine how all six Mi’kmaq communities have progressed with their business ventures.

Bouctouche Mi’kmaq First Nation is located on the banks of the Bouctouche River about three kilometres southwest of the Town of Bouctouche, New Brunswick. It has a population of 130 community members of which 80 are residents. Five years ago, community leaders made a decision to begin a commercial oyster farm.

They have rapidly built up the oyster farm which now holds 1.23 million oysters. They have also built an oyster processing plant with a cold storage unit. The oyster farm employs 7 experienced seasonal workers. In order to consolidate their operations, the community recently acquired a new working vessel and a teleboom tractor. These capital upgrades will allow for even greater expansion. The community recently leased a second site in Bouctouche Bay where they will be able to expand the number of oysters farmed. Aquaculture Manager Rémi Noel described his community’s experience this way: “We gave it all we had and now all that work is paying off.”

The picturesque Elsipogtog First Nation located on the banks of Richibucto River north of Moncton, New Brunswick began their oyster farm ten years ago. ...

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