Published May 08, 2025 • Last updated 34 minutes ago • 1 minute readElvers are juvenile American eels. Photo by ContributedFour fishermen from Eskasoni are facing charges for illegally fishing baby eels.Maynard Joseph Marshall, 36, Merle Charles Marshall, 30, John Richard Denny, 37, and Ruben Paul, 34, were charged with the same four offences: fishing for eels under 10 centimetres in length; possession of fish in contravention of the Fisheries Act; catching and retain elvers without authorization; and violating the conditions of their fishing license by fishing for eels under 10 centimetres in length.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentRead More Debate ensues after chiefs reject DFO control of Mi’kmaq elver fishing DFO unveils plan to bring peace to elver fishery as questions linger The offences allegedly took place near Belfry on June 11-12, 2023.All four men are expected to be in Sydney provincial court on May 15 to enter pleas.Juvenile American eels, also known as elvers, are one of the most lucrative seafood products in Canada by weight. Elvers are primarily sold to China where they are raised for adulthood for export in the valuable sushi market.Tensions between Mi’kmaw harvesters and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans are high as First Nations leaders claim the federal government has no authority to limit their traditional fishing rights.Article content
Eskasoni men charged with illegally fishing baby eels
