Canadian fisheries minister Diane Lebouthillier has announced an external review into an incident involving two Mi'kmaw fishermen in Nova Scotia, who alleged racism after being detained by federal officers for allegedly poaching elvers, or baby eel.

CBC reported Monday (July 8) that the incident occurred in March 2024, when Blaise Sylliboy of the Eskasoni First Nation and Kevin Hartling of the Membertou First Nation were apprehended by fisheries officers for allegedly fishing after the season had closed.

The men were reportedly stripped of their footwear and phones and left at a rural gas station at around 1 a.m., and they had to walk for several hours before finding assistance. The article doesn't indicate whether either man was criminally charged.

Lebouthillier confirmed the external review would be conducted independently, with no involvement from Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) or the government involved in the investigative team's day-to-day operations.

"The allegations brought forward regarding the treatment of the two individuals are simply unacceptable," said Lebouthillier in a statement.

The review will examine the March 26 incident, departmental policies, enforcement practices and procedures to address potential systemic biases or racism. Following the investigation, a detailed report with findings and recommendations will be made public, the news release said.

"This external review must, and will, involve Indigenous leadership," the minister said. "Further engagement with Mi'kmaw communities will be critical before selecting the external review panel."

Prime minister Justin Trudeau, who visited Dartmouth, in Nova Scotia, days after the incident, described the reports as "very troubling" and supported a full investigation, the CBC reported.

Eskasoni chief Leroy Denny and other Mi'kmaw leaders have had multiple meetings with the federal fisheries minister to address what they describe as systemic racism within the DFO. Initially, the DFO proposed an internal review, but Mi'kmaw chiefs pushed for an external investigation with Mi'kmaw representation.

The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Chiefs released a statement highlighting ongoing issues faced by Indigenous harvesters and called for better treatment by Canada, CBC reported.

The elver fishery is highly lucrative due to high demand in Asia and the collapse of eel fishing in Europe, pushing market values up to CAD 5,000/kg ($3,600). The surge led to the DFO canceling the fishery season for the second year, a decision criticized by both commercial and Mi'kmaw fishermen.