GRAND MANAN, N.B.- Federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea will discuss the situation on Grand Manan that has led to tense confrontations and blockades with local fishermen at the start of lobster season.

The minister will hold a conference call with local officials this afternoon.

Local fishermen are upset the government is allowing licence transfers which has led to a number of Nova Scotia vessels fishing lobster in local waters.

Brian Guptill is President of the Grand Manan Fisherman’s Association. “We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel”, says Guptill. “The residency requirements are in place in other places. All we’re doing is asking to be not treated as second class citizens. We deserve the same rights that other people have.

Fishermen blockaded the local D.F.O. office with lobster traps for several hours yesterday and a number of Nova Scotia boats were also cut loose.