First Nation occupying government office in protest against commercial fishery
Heiltsuk Nation protesters vow to protect herring stock from unsustainable fishing practices.
Members of the Heiltsuk Nation in Canada are occupying a Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) office in British Columbia, protesting against what they call unsustainable herring fishing practices. The DFO allowed a commercial fishery to open earlier this month, despite warnings from the First Nation that herring stocks are low. The Heiltsuk have vowed to protect the herring in its territory from the fishery using “any means necessary”.
On Sunday, 50 Heiltsuk demonstrators took over the DFO office near Bella Bella, British Columbia. Protesters are still on site. Using #HeiltsukHerring and #HeiltsukStrong, supporters shared photos and updates from the protests.