Survey on the fishing practices in the lobster fishery of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (LFAs 23-26B) by telephone interviews

Description

Fisheries managers use effort control to manage the lobster fisheries in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Unfortunately, information on the deployment of that effort (effective effort) is not monitored. Biologist Michel Comeau, based at the Gulf Fisheries Centre in Moncton, New Brunswick leads a team surveying harvesters about the lobster fishery of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. Harvesters will be asked where they fish lobsters and about effort information, such as vessel size, trap design and fishing strategies, plus information on bait use, bycatch and interactions with species-at-risk, to support Marine Stewardship Council eco-certification. Responses will be compared to previous surveys (1993, 2005, and 2011) to understand effective effort and to establish fishing pressure indicators, as well as to gain other knowledge on fishing practices. Project results will be used in a larger analysis assessing how fishing practices have changed over time. Project outcomes will be published and used in the next lobster stock assessment and to support continued Marine Stewardship Council eco-certification. Reports about the project will also be published on the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat website and in scientific journals.

Program Name

Fisheries Science Collaborative Program (FSCP)

Year(s)

2018 - 2019

Ecoregion(s)

Gulf of St. Lawrence

Principal Investigator(s)

Michel Comeau

Co-leader(s)

• Prince Edward Island Fishermen’s association (PEIFA)
• Gulf Nova Scotia Fishermen’s Coalition (GNSFC)
• Maritimes Fishermen’s Union (MFU)
• Northumberland Fisherman’s Association (NFA)
• Gulf Nova Scotia Bonafide Fishermen’s Association (GNSBFA)