Lobster traps are loaded onto fishing boats at the Lower Woods Harbour wharf as fishers ready a second trip to the fishing grounds to set gear on dumping day in southwestern Nova Scotia. Kathy Johnson photo
After a one-day delay due to weather, the lobster fishery in southwestern Nova Scotia got underway on Nov. 28, with close to 1,700 fishing vessels in Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 33 and 34 heading out to sea to set their gear.
Dumping day went off without incident and was a window of opportunity for the fishers, who were facing gale warnings the following day when they went to check their gear.
A full compliment of Search and Rescue (SAR) resources were tasked for the first few days of the season, with patrols at sea by the Canadian Coast Guard and in the air by the Department of Defence. The Coast Guard Auxiliary also lent a hand as a SAR platform on the fishing grounds.
The shore price was expected to open in the $5.50 to $6 range. There were positive indications going into the season for a solid shore price. The LFA 35 fishery in the Upper Bay of Fundy had opened at $6.50, the Canadian dollar is trading well below par with the U.S. greenback, tariffs have been lifted on live lobster exports to Europe and the markets weren’t already flooded.
Lobster landings and values have hit record highs in recent years for LFAs 33 and 34. For the 2015-16 season the total landings combined from both LFAs weighed in at 39,200 tonnes with a landed value of $570 million. Preliminary data for 2016-17 indicates landings were just over 30,200 tonnes with a landed value of $490 million for both LFAs combined.
The Ocean Princess I steams out from the Clark’s Harbour wharf with a last load of traps to set on Nov. 28, marking the start of the 2017/18 lobster fishery in LFA 33 and 34. Kathy Johnson photoFishermen pull a stack of traps across the East Pubnico wharf to be loaded onto a fishing vessel on dumping day in LFA 34. Kathy Johnson photoLobster boats and gear are piled high on the Lower Woods Harbour wharf as fishers ready for the opening of the commercial lobster fishery in southwestern Nova Scotia. Kathy Johnson photoA fisherman waits to lower a lobster trap onto a fishing boat at the Clark’s Harbour wharf while other vessels are loaded in the background during dumping day in LFA 34. Kathy Johnson photoLobster traps are loaded onto a boat at the Falls Point wharf in Woods Harbour. The commercial lobster fishery in LFAs 33 and 34 opened on Nov. 28 after a one-day delay. Kathy Johnson photoFishers work on rope while loading traps at the Clark’s Harbour wharf. Fishermen in LFAs 33 and 34 set to sea on Nov. 28, marking the start of the 2017/18 commercial lobster season. Kathy Johnson photoFishing boats loaded with lobster fishing gear leave the Falls Point wharf in Woods Harbour for the fishing grounds on dumping day in southwestern Nova Scotia. Kathy Johnson photo
