Tracadie, New Brunswick (NB) – March 24, 2022 – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is releasing today the 2022-2024 management plan for commercial and recreational clam fisheries in Eastern New Brunswick.
Management measures for the 2022, 2023 and 2024 commercial clam fishing seasons:
Minimum size for the commercial fishery:
- Soft-shell clam: 50 mm
- Bar clam: 102 mm
- Bay quahaug: 50 mm
- Razor clam: No size limit
Daily commercial fishing quotas:
- Bar clams: 300
- Other clams: No daily limit, except Heron Island (inside a line drawn 500 meters around Heron Island) where the limit is 500 soft-shell clams.
Opening and Closing dates and fishing areas for commercial fishing:
Inland and tidal waters of that portion of New Brunswick that borders on the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Northumberland Strait including that portion of Bay des Chaleurs inside a line drawn 500 meters around l’Île aux Hérons, except for the waters mentioned below, will be open to fishing commercially for:
- Bar clams: from April 1 to June 30 and from September 1 to December 31.
- Soft-shell clams, bay quahaugs and razor clams: from April 1 to December 31.
The area between Johnston Point and the Nova Scotia/New Brunswick Border at Baie Verte, Westmorland County, will stay closed for commercial clam fishery.
Commercial fishing methods:
- Hand and with hand-held tools, and any other method as indicated in the licence conditions.
- Diving for all species of clams is not permitted in the commercial fishery.
Management measures for the 2022, 2023 and 2024 recreational clam fishing season:
Minimum size for the recreational fishery:
- Soft-shell clam: 50 mm
- Bar clam: 102 mm
- Bay quahaug: 50 mm
- Razor clam: No size limit
Daily recreational fishing quotas:
No more than 100 clams, of all species combined from any or all of the following species can be caught and retained in any day: bar clam, bay quahaug, razor clam and soft-shell clam.
Opening and Closing dates and fishing areas for recreational fishing:
Inland and tidal waters of that portion of New Brunswick that borders on the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Northumberland Strait including that portion of Bay des Chaleurs inside a line drawn 500 meters around l’Île aux Hérons, will be open to recreational fishing for:
- Bar clams: from April 1 to June 30 and from September 1 to December 31.
- Soft-shell clams, bay quahaugs and razor clams: from April 1 to December 31.
The area between Johnston Point and the Nova Scotia/New Brunswick Border at Baie Verte, Westmorland County, will open to recreational fishing for from April 1 to May 31 and from October 2 to December 31:
- soft-shell clams
- bar clams
- bay quahaugs
- razor clams
Recreational fishing methods:
- Hand or with hand-held tools.
- Diving for all species of clams is not permitted in the recreational fishery.