Tracadie, New Brunswick (NB) – September 11, 2023 – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is releasing today the 2023-2025 Commercial Oyster Fishery Management Plan for the Eastern New Brunswick area.
Fishing areas and opening dates for 2023, 2024 and 2025 seasons
Public oyster-fishing areas in the inland and tidal waters of New Brunswick that flow in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Northumberland Strait, except those waters mentioned below:
- 2023: Open season from September 25th to November 11th.
- 2024: Open season from September 23rd to November 9th.
- 2025: Open season from September 22nd to November 8th.
That portion of Caraquet Bay, county of Gloucester, west of a line drawn from grid reference 354900 5295300 at Brideau Point to grid reference 351900 5299250 at Maisonnette Point:
- 2023: Open season from September 25th to October 28th.
- 2024: Open season from September 23rd to October 26th.
- 2025: Open season from September 22nd to October 25th.
All waters of Shemogue Harbour, county of Westmorland, inside a line drawn from grid reference 411709 5114524 at Little Cape on the west side of the harbour to grid reference 413538 5115035 at Shemogue Head on the east side of the harbor:
- 2023: Open season from September 25th to October 28th.
- 2024: Open season from September 23rd to October 26th.
- 2025: Open season from September 22nd to October 25th.
NEW licence conditions
A new licence condition has been added in 2023 to all commercial oyster licences. The new condition specifies that fishing activities must only be conducted in waters that are classified as approved on the following website : Shellfish harvesting map
A licence condition has also been added in 2022 to all commercial licences regarding discarding waste. The licence holder/operator is prohibited from discarding in Canadian fisheries water any item that may be harmful to fish or fish habitat. Refer to the Notice to Fish Harvesters sent on April 7, 2022 for further details: 2022 - New Condition of Licence
Management measures
The commercial oyster fishery is authorized from Monday to Sunday, sunrise to sunset.
Fishing methods: Tongs or rakes
Minimum length: 76 mm
*A recreational oyster fishery is not authorized in Eastern NB.
** DFO would like to remind fish harvesters that they cannot have a drag in their possession while they are conducting fishing activities.