Some fishery officers refusing work in N.S., citing dangerous conditions, says DFO

Some fishery officers with Fisheries and Oceans Canada are refusing work in Nova Scotia out of concern for their safety, the federal department said Thursday.

While DFO said in a statement it is "making every effort to minimize operational impacts," a group representing fishermen in southwest Nova Scotia said enforcement officers are nowhere to be seen to prevent illegal fishing during the off-season.

"There's illegal fishing occurring and there is no enforcement staff on the road or on the water or on the wharfs. And it's out of hand," Dan Fleck, executive director of the Brazil Rock Lobster Association, told CBC News in an interview Wednesday.

The statement from DFO did not elaborate on the safety concerns, but the department said it has already begun investigating reports of dangerous working conditions as obligated.

"Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) respects the right of employees to refuse dangerous work, and we take reports of dangerous work seriously," said the department.

Enforcement work ongoing: DFO

The department said enforcement work is still happening, but it wouldn't disclose how many officers are out working and if there is a change in the number of officers working compared to last year. DFO said that information would not be released in order "to maintain operational integrity."

Fleck, whose group represents fishermen in lobster fishing areas 33 and 34, said while the lobster fishing season is three months away, he's concerned about how the stock could be negatively impacted by illegal fishing.

"We need to support these officers, and we need these officers on the water and out there doing the job they've been trained to do," Fleck said.

In an email, the Union of Health and Environment Workers, which represents fishery enforcement officers, said it is involved in helping resolve the issue and that "due process related to work refusal is being followed."