Urgent Update: Eel Spearing in Flat Bay Faces Weather Threats

UPDATE: Eel spearing in Flat Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador is underway, but community members are racing against severe weather expected tomorrow. Local fishermen, including brothers Clayton and Gilbert Bennett, are eager to make the most of this fishing season as they prepare to capture the elusive American eels, a tradition steeped in Mi’kmaq culture.

With bad weather looming, Elder Calvin White urged, “If you want to get the guys out eel fishing, you’d better go now.” His knowledge of local conditions is vital, especially as the fishermen gear up at Muddy Hole, a prime fishing spot known for its abundance of eels.

The traditional practice involves plunging long wooden spears into the icy waters, with the fishermen excitedly revealing their catches. “That’s a nice eel. He’ll be tasty? Fry it up!” exclaimed Clayton as he pulled a slithering eel from the water. The brothers, both in their sixties, reflect on their lifelong connection to this practice. “I gotta do this every year. I can’t wait for the season to come,” Gilbert said.

Despite the community’s enthusiasm, there’s a pressing concern: American eels are classified as a species at risk. Their population has declined dramatically over the years. Fisheries and Oceans Canada reports that last year, commercial harvesters took 20 tonnes of eels using 117 commercial licenses in Newfoundland and Labrador, but no new commercial licenses have been issued since the late ‘90s.

Recreational licenses, which only number 14 in the province, are also at risk. With four licenses in Flat Bay, the future of this traditional fishing practice hangs in the balance. “Once the holders of those four licenses are gone, so too are the licenses and with them, the community knowledge of the spear fishery,” White warned.

The emotional toll of losing such a vital tradition is palpable. “We’ve been saddened over the last 15 years because of the loss of the ability to be able to do that. Yeah, it is a great loss to the community,” said White.

As the community gathers on the ice, the excitement and camaraderie of eel spearing are evident. Fishermen not only enjoy the thrill of the catch but also cherish the time spent outdoors, breathing fresh air and bonding with friends. Clayton remarked, “It’s a good pastime, good exercise, everything is good about it.”

The urgency of these developments makes it clear that the eel fishery in Flat Bay is more than just a fishing practice; it is a cultural heritage that is at risk. As weather conditions worsen, the community races to secure their catch while reflecting on the importance of preserving their way of life.

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