Lynn Lau
Northern News Services

Arctic Red River (July 01/02) - A local fisher says federal government fisheries regulations are infringing on traditional harvesting practices.

Louisa Andre says rules about the disposal of fish scraps go against the Gwich'in traditional way of harvesting fish. Andre says when she makes dry fish, she usually feeds scraps to her two dogs, and what her dogs can't eat, she feeds to the ravens and gulls. According to the NWT fishery laws, people are not to dispose of fish remains or offal by leaving it in the water, on ice or on shore. But Andre says when she feeds the remains to birds, the waste is gone in minutes.

"As long as you keep your place clean, you shouldn't have a problem," Andre says. "I wouldn't want to have an unhealthy place either."

She says she takes issue with the fishery officer in Inuvik, who Andre says has been warning people not do dispose of scraps in this way. Andre admits she doesn't know of anyone who's been charged because of the way they disposed of fish parts.

Department of Fisheries and Oceans officer Mark Simms declined comment.