2023 – Lobster Conservation Harvesting Plan for lobster fishing area (LFA) 25
Moncton, NB – July 18, 2023 – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Gulf Region, announces the 2023 management measures for Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 25. Unless indicated otherwise, existing management measures remain in place. Please refer to your lobster licence conditions for further details. Licence conditions are available on the National Online Licensing System.
Opening date
The opening date in LFA 25 is on August 9 at 6:00 a.m. The last day of fishing is October 10. The opening of the fishery is subject to weather conditions. If there is a delay, the season will lengthen one day for one day at the end of the season, up to a maximum of 4 days.
Management measures for the 2023 fishing season
Carapace size
The minimum lobster carapace size will be 79 mm in LFA 25 in 2023.
Curfew
The daily close time is from 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., including the first 48 hours of the fishery. There is no curfew during the last 48 hours of the fishery.
Management measures to minimize interactions with North Atlantic Right Whales
The Management measures to minimize interactions with North Atlantic Right Whales (NARW)
Restrictions on the movement of lobster licences
For information on restriction on the movement of lobster licences you can refer to the Commercial Fisheries Licensing Policy for Gulf Region.
Transit corridors
The transit corridors in LFA 23 and LFA 24 remain in effect and a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) is required (every 5 minutes) if using the transit corridor. The corridor allows fish harvesters to transport their catches through that area to reach their homeport avoiding the use of the smack boat. The opening and closing of the season will remain as indicated in the Fisheries Regulations or as announced in a Variation Order. The coordinates for the corridor are identified in the Variation Order and the licence conditions of those using the corridor.
Logbook
Licence holders that will not be using an ELOG are still required to use paper logbooks and submit them to DFO on a monthly basis as in previous years.
| Minimum legal carapace size (mm)¹ | Maximum size females (mm) | Maximum number of traps | Minimum number of traps per line | Maximum hoop size (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 79 | 115 | 240 P.E.I.² 250 N.B. 225 Gulf N.S. |
N/A | 152 |
Notes:
- See Table 2 for height of escape mechanism corresponding to the minimum carapace size in effect.
- PEI harvesters are eligible to acquire an additional 10 traps from the Prince County Fishermen Association
Height and length of escape mechanisms
The height of the escape mechanism as indicated in Tables 2 and 3 needs to be adjusted according to the minimum legal carapace size in effect in the LFA (refer to Table 1 for minimum legal size).
| Minimum legal carapace size | Minimum height of escape opening |
|---|---|
| >73 mm to 76 mm | 43 mm |
| >76 mm to 79 mm | 44 mm |
| 80 mm to 81 mm | 46 mm |
| >81 mm to 83 mm | 47 mm |
| >83 mm to 84 mm | 48 mm |
| >84 mm to 85 mm | 49 mm |
| Minimum legal carapace size | Minimum height of escape opening |
|---|---|
| >73 mm to 76 mm | 42 mm |
| >76 mm to 79 mm | 43 mm |
| 80 mm to 81 mm | 46 mm |
| >81 mm to 83 mm | 47 mm |
| >83 mm to 84 mm | 48 mm |
| >84 mm to 85 mm | 49 mm |
Before you go fishing
The Department has assembled a list of requirements and documents harvesters will need before they start fishing.
For more information
|
Rachel Friolet Resource Management, Eastern NB Fisheries and Oceans Canada Tracadie, NB (506) 395-7705 |
Ben Moore Resource Management, PEI Fisheries and Oceans Canada Charlottetown, PEI (902) 315-0284 |
|
Alan Dwyer Resource Management, Gulf NS Fisheries and Oceans Canada Antigonish, NS (902) 318-1460 |
Mathieu Vienneau Resource Management, Gulf Region Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Gulf Region Moncton, NB (506) 875-5283 |
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