Image: Submitted/Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has shut down the elver fishery in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia for 45 days.

The federal department said it made the move, which took effect on Saturday, due to conservation and safety concerns.

“As a result of extensive monitoring by DFO, it has been determined that unreported removals account for a significant proportion of elver landings,” the department said in a series of tweets.

“Investigations have been, and will continue to be, initiated related to these matters, and no further comment will be offered at this time.”

DFO said conflict within the industry has also escalated to violence and threats, risking the safety of harvesters, the public and its officers.

The escalating conflict also constitutes a threat to the proper management and control of the fishery, the department said.

“Closing the fishery is a required response to address these combined risks,” said DFO.

Nova Scotia RCMP said a man was allegedly assaulted with a pipe following a verbal altercation over elver fishing in Hubbards, west of Halifax.

Authorities also seized a shipment of elvers, or baby eels, on April 5 at the Halifax airport worth $112,000.

1/5 Effective April 15, 2023, the elver fishery in NS & NB is immediately closed for 45 days due to conservation and safety concerns. All elver harvesting is now prohibited and subject to enforcement action.

— DFO Maritimes (@DFO_MAR) April 15, 2023