Americans are crossing into Canadian waters to poach lobster

With federal enforcement lacking, Americans are crossing into Canadian waters near New Brunswick to poach lobster. Simultaneously, from federally owned wharves around southwest Nova Scotia, dozens of vessels are landing thousands of pounds of lobster each night outside the commercial season. Frontline enforcement officers from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans stationed around the Bay of Fundy are refusing to conduct patrols, citing a lack of support from senior officials and federal Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier, which they say puts their lives at risk. Despite being in Halifax last week for a federal Liberal cabinet retreat, Lebouthillier declined interviews on the matter and did not meet with fishermen's associations. The lawlessness comes as the commercial lobster season off southwest Nova Scotia, Canada's most valuable fishery, prepares to open in early November.