Reminder: recreational oyster fishing ban for Eastern New Brunswick

Over the past few weeks, Fisheries and Oceans Canada’ Eastern New Brunswick Area Office has noticed an increase in calls for information on the oyster fishery. Fishery officers from the Northeast New Brunswick Area also intercepted individuals during the weekend of September 10 for illegal oyster fishing. Tickets were issued to these individuals. The 2022 commercial oyster fishing season for Eastern New Brunswick opened on September 19 and ends on October 22 for Caraquet Bay and Shemogue Harbour, and on November 5 in the other regions of Eastern New Brunswick.

We wish to remind the public that recreational oyster fishing is not permitted in Eastern New Brunswick.  You must have a commercial oyster licence to fish and sell your catch.

Thinking of buying oysters? Here are some guidelines:

• Find out where your oysters come from when you buy them.
• Don't hesitate to ask if the person has a commercial oyster license if you see ads for oysters for sale on social media.
• Eating contaminated shellfish harvested from closed shellfish areas can make you very sick.
• We all have a role to play in health and safety.

If you witness illegal oyster harvesting, report it to your nearest Conservation and Protection Detachment.