Some Cape Breton lobster fishermen say they should be allowed to catch snow crab. (Submitted by David Gillis)

Cape Breton fishermen angry over the local crab quota continued to block New Brunswick fishermen from leaving a small harbour on Friday.

The blockade in Inverness harbour, on the west side of Cape Breton, began Thursday evening with three boats. By Friday afternoon, there were 12 boats tied up together, blocking the entrance.

Lawrence MacLellan, one of the 90 lobster fishermen taking part in the protest, said local fishermen are upset that they can't get crab permits but New Brunswick fishermen can.

He said the four New Brunswick boats are fishing off Cape Breton, landing the crab in Inverness and shipping it off to New Brunswick for processing.

The fishermen's protest over the crab quota was peaceful Friday. (CBC)

"We've been looking at their crab traps for a couple of weeks and the rumours are they are taking more quota this year," he said Friday.

It's especially difficult to take this year because the lobster season is going so badly, he said.

MacLellan said local fishermen have spoken with several provincial and federal politicians but decided they had no choice except to stage a protest.

"We tried every avenue, and this seems like the only right avenue for us at the moment," he said.

Advised not to interfere

A spokesman for the union representing the New Brunswick fishermen said they have been advised not to interfere with the protest.

"It's not a situation they can control or should try to complicate," said Christian Brun, executive secretary of the Maritime Fishermen's Union based in Shediac, N.B. "We feel we must respect our fellow members, and we'll be in contact with them to discuss this. "

Brun is encouraging the Cape Breton fishermen and representatives from the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans to sit down together and discuss the issue.

Luc Légère, spokesman for DFO in the Maritimes, said the New Brunswick fishermen have a legal right to fish off Cape Breton and the department doesn't make decisions in response to protests.

DFO has no plans to interfere in the protest, he said.

"We're keeping an eye on things. So far, we're very happy to see that it's been a very peaceful protest. There haven't been any confrontations of any kind," said Légère.

MacLellan said the protesters are not stopping local fishermen from leaving the harbour.

RCMP are keeping an eye on the blockade.

"We're there to keep the peace, and hopefully there aren't any disturbances," said Sgt. Mark Gallagher. "And right now, everyone seems to be moving along with a fairly calm head."