Atlantic Chiefs, along with their national leader Phil Fontaine, met with Federal Fisheries Minister Herb Dhaliwal for most of the day Wednesday looking for a way out of the dispute over the Atlantic lobster fishery.

It was the first time the minister met with native fishermen since natives were given the right by a Supreme Court ruling to fish year-round. That ruling stated that according to a 1760 treaty, Mi'qmak and Maliseet bands are entitled to fish year round without licences.

Dhaliwal emerged briefly from the meeting to announce good news: 25 of 35 native bands have now agreed to impose a 30-day moratorium on fishing. But of those 25, none is currently fishing lobster. That means that nine of the 10 bands who are fishing will continue to do so.

A Mi'kmaq warrior guards the wharf in Burnt Church

Only the Acadian band has agreed to a temporary suspension.

The Burnt Church reserve in northern New Brunswick, where tensions have been highest, voted against the moratorium.

The moratorium is subject to a ratification vote by band members on Saturday.

Dhaliwal says that if necessary, he'll impose a ban himself by the end of the week while a long-term solution is worked out.

"I will act very quickly. We want to make sure we have an orderly fishery and it's my mandate, my authority to make sure that happens and I'll take steps to make sure that happens," Dhaliwal told CBC News.

Sept. 17: Supreme Court of Canada rules First Nations have 1760 treaty right to fish commercially year-round without licences.First nations fishermen take to the water, while fishery is closed to non-natives.Department of Fisheries and Oceans officers steer clear of the controversy. Oct. 3: Violence erupts at Burnt Church, N.B., when non-native fishermen take to the sea to haul up and destroy hundreds of First Nations traps.Angry mobs trash three fish plants and equipment. Ongoing: After a violent weekend, federal Fisheries Minister Herb Dhaliwal becomes more formally involved, while Atlantic chiefs and non-native fishermen's associations continue their own, separate meetings. On the wharf in Burnt Church, Mi'kmaq warriors set up an armed encampment as Mi'kmaq fishermen continue to set traps and haul in catches. Oct. 6: Dhaliwal scheduled to meet First Nations leaders in Halifax. Oct. 5: Hoping to ease tensions, Acadia First Nation voluntarily pulls its traps from the water near Yarmouth, N.S. In response, non-native call off protest rally as a sign of goodwill.

Meanwhile tension in Burnt Church is still high after a traditional arbour on the reserve in New Brunswick, was burned to the ground.

The arbour was built by the Mi'kmaq in the summer on a sacred point of land used for religious prayer. Mi'kmaq leaders say it was like a church for them and its destruction is a devastating blow to their spirits.

While police are not certain the fire was deliberately set, many fear the destruction of the arbour will spark more retaliation against non-First Nations fishermen.

On Tuesday Dhaliwal met with non-First Nations fishermen from Moncton, New Brunswick and P.E.I.

He warned them "I will not tolerate a free-for-all on the water, I certainly will not tolerate anarchy on the water.

"Clearly, the (Supreme Court) judgment says that treaty right can be regulated, but it cannot be unreasonable. And that's why it's important that we spend this time talking to the aboriginal community to see if something can be negotiated."

Mike Belliveau, of the Maritime Fishermen's Union, says his members will give Dhaliwal time to meet with First Nations leaders. "They're at the point of taking decisive action and I think everybody should keep their calm until Friday or Thursday," he told CBC News.

But time may be running out as Passamaquoddy fishermen in Maine say the Supreme Court ruling also applies to them since they also signed the 18th century treaty.

The Passamaquoddy say that means they're now allowed to fish in Canadian waters.

And to prove it they took to the water Tuesday in a symbolic gesture hunting porpoises.

There are about 2,000 Passamaquoddy in Maine, and about 300 in New Brunswick.