It is clear from the Minister's statement today that a clarification of the court's intention are required. Neither the court nor the Minister has given any assurances that there is place for non-native fishermen to continue to earn a moderate living from the fishery.

The confusion in the court and on the water is the result of the failure of the federal government to present a strong case to the Supreme Court of Canada. The Minister's failure to announce that he was seeking a stay and rehearing shows his contempt for the rights of licensed fishermen.

"Fisheries Minister Dhaliwal said nothing today that will bring an end to the choas. His refusal to seek clarification of the decision means the current state of turmoil will continue."

"No action is being taken to protect the jobs of non-aboriginal fishermen: They and their families are being written off by the Minister. Families with twelve or more generations of involvement in the fishery are now being told there is no place for them."

The aboriginal fishing licence regulations that the Minister will be introducing have been in place in British Columbia since 1992-93. They have been a disaster resulting this year for the first time in history in a ban on commercial fishing in the Fraser River.