Moncton, New-Brunswick (NB) – March 29, 2023 – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Gulf Region, announces the 2023 management measures for Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 23, 24, 26A and 26B. Unless indicated otherwise, existing management measures remain in place. Please refer to your lobster licence conditions for further details. Licence conditions should be available on the National Online Licensing System on March 30, 2023.
Please note that additional management measures may be announced.
Management measures and the season dates for LFA 25 will be issued at a later date.
Opening Dates in 2023
As previously announced, there were changes to the Guidelines on Opening / Closing Dates for the Commercial Lobster Fishery in the Gulf Region.
| Lobster Fishing Area | Season Dates |
|---|---|
| 23 | 6:00 am, April 30 - June 301,2 |
| 24 | 6:00 am, April 29 - June 292 |
| 26A 1 & 3 | 6:00 am, April 26 - June 262 |
| 26A-2 | 6:00 am, April 26 - June 262 |
| 26B (South) | 6:00 am, April 29 - June 292 |
| 26B (North) | 6:00 am, May 6 - July 62 |
- 1: Flexibility up to 72 hours before the scheduled season opening
- 2: Flexibility at end of season 1 day for 1 day up to 4 days
These are targeted season dates and subject to change due to ice, weather, or other conditions.
DFO will monitor and assess the situation at the various wharves a few weeks before the scheduled opening. Conference calls will be held in the days leading up to the scheduled opening between DFO and stakeholders to obtain feedback on the situation at various locations in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Management measures in place for the 2023 fishing season
Management measures to minimize interactions with North Atlantic Right Whales
The Management measures to minimize interactions with North Atlantic Right Whales (NARW) can be found at the following address: 2023 fishery management measures.
| Lobster Fishing Area | Minimum legal carapace size (mm)1 | Window size females (mm)2 | Maximum number of traps | Minimum number of traps per line3 | Maximum hoop size (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23A | 81 | 115-129 | 300 | n/a | 152 |
| 23B | 81 | 115-129 | 300 | n/a | 152 |
| 23C | 81 | 115-129 | 300 | 3 traps6 | 152 |
| 23D | 81 | 115-129 | 300 | 3 traps6 | 152 |
| 24 | 75 | 115-129 | 300 | 6 traps | n/a |
| 26A-1 (PEI) | 75 | 115-129 | 272 | 6 traps6 | n/a |
| 26A-1 (Gulf NS) | 75 | 115-129 | 280 | 5 traps | n/a |
| 26A-2 | 76 | 115-129 | 255 and 2754 | 6 traps | 152 |
| 26A-3 | 77 | 115-129 | 250 | 2 traps | n/a |
| 26B South | 82.5 | n/a | 250 | n/a | n/a |
| 26B North5 | 82.5 | n/a | 250 | 5 traps | 152 |
**Note increase in carapace size, as per request from industry, for LFA 23 and 26A-3**
Notes:
- 1: See table 2 for height of escape mechanism corresponding to the minimum carapace size in effect.
- 2: As defined by licence conditions (female Lobster of a length of 115 mm but not more than 129 mm shall be returned to the water immediately in a manner that causes it the least harm).
- 3: As defined by licence conditions.
- 4: Commercial licence holders: 255 traps/Some Communal Commercial licence holders: 275 traps.
- 5: Closure to fishing of Cheticamp Harbour.
- 6: In a portion of the LFA
Height and Length of Escape Mechanisms
The height of the escape mechanism as indicated in the tables below needs to be adjusted according to the minimum legal carapace size in effect in each LFA (refer to table of Key Management Measures in 2023 in Lobster Fishing Areas 23, 24, 26A and 26B 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 |
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 that can be found at the following link: Commercial Fisheries Licensing Policy for the Gulf Region.
Daily closed time
The daily close time is from 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. in LFA 23.
Transit Corridors
The transit corridors 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. For this reason, a validity period is added to LFA 23D licences from the date of issuance to June 30. 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 Electronic logbooks (ELOGS) are still required to use paper logbooks and submit them to DFO on a monthly basis as in previous years. The list of paper logbook suppliers is available at the following Internet address: Prequalified Logbook Suppliers.
Before you go fishing
The Department has assembled a list of requirements and documents harvesters will need before they start fishing. This list is available at: Before you start fishing, you will need...