2022-2023 Lobster Fishing Area 36 (Maritimes Region)

The details presented below concern Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 36. LFA 36 is an inshore lobster fishery located within the Bay of Fundy near Southwest New Brunswick. The boundaries of LFA 36 are defined within the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 (Schedule XIII).

Dates of season

Schedule XIV of the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985, sets out the dates during which fishing is permitted, subject to any variation orders. LFA 36 has a split fishing season, with the season opening on the second Tuesday in November until January 14. The fishery then becomes closed, reopening on March 31 until June 29.

In the spring of 2016, Fisheries and Oceans Canada initiated a review of the fishing season in LFA 36. This review included the evaluation of a pilot project that started in the 2017-2018 fishing season that lengthened the season by ten days. To support the evaluation of the pilot and a decision on whether to extend the fishing season to be closed annually as of July 10, the Department outlined objectives, an evaluation framework, and a consultation plan.

After consultation and the evaluation of the pilot project, a decision has been reached to discontinue the season extensions.  As such, regulatory amendment to revise the season dates will not be pursued, meaning the close time of LFA 36 will revert to the regulated date of June 30, as listed in Schedule XIV of the Atlantic Fishing Regulations, 1985.

Links to other information

• Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat
• Lobster Fishing Areas 27 – 38 Integrated Fisheries Management Plan