Though illegal, out-of-season lobster fishing continues off the south coast of Nova Scotia, Canadian fisheries minister Diane Lebouthillier has still not returned calls from Kent Smith, the east coast province's fisheries minister, reports the SaltWire.

Recall that Smith wrote Lebouthillier on Aug. 22 asking her to beef up enforcement, particularly on the south shore of Nova Scotia, where poaching appears to be rampant, as reported by Undercurrent News. He wrote her again on Wednesday (Sept. 18), noting that she has yet to respond.

"Minister, your lack of communication and meaningful action is sending a strong message to our fishing industry that you do not care, that you are content with ongoing concerns regarding public safety going unanswered, that the future sustainability of our province's most valuable export is not important, and that the economic stability of thousands of Nova Scotians is of no consequence to you or your senior leadership," Smith said in his recent letter.

He asked the federal minister to engage the Canada Revenue Agency, Canada Border Services and other federal resources to help combat the problem.

Meanwhile, DFO enforcement officers were at the Digby ferry terminal on Wednesday, checking a truck known to transport lobster to Maine. The tip-off came from the United Fisheries Conservation Alliance, an organization that represents several commercial lobster fishing groups in the province, reported SaltWire.

Commercial fishermen watched as DFO officers stopped the driver, and inspected the truck at the terminal, and then allowed the truck to continue. 

The driver of the truck told SaltWire on Thursday (Sept. 19) that he was carrying haddock and bloodworms, but not lobster.