Tracadie, New Brunswick (NB) – March 20, 2025 – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is releasing today the 2025-2027 management plan for commercial and recreational clam fisheries in Eastern New Brunswick.
Management Measures for the 2025, 2026 and 2027 commercial clam fishing season
| Species | Fishing season | Minimum length | Daily commercial fishing quota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft-shell | April 1 to December 31 | 50 mm | None1 |
| Bay quahaug | April 1 to December 31 | 50 mm | None |
| Bar clam | April 1 to June 30 and September 1 to December 31 |
102 mm | 300 |
| Razor clam | April 1 to December 31 | No size limit | None |
Notes:
- 1 None, except for 500 meters around Heron Island where the limit is 500 soft-shell.
Closed commercial fishing area
The area between Johnston Point and the Nova Scotia/New Brunswick Border at Baie Verte, Westmorland County, is closed for the commercial clam fishery.
Before going out fishing, consult the Shellfish Harvesting Map to find out what areas are open and closed to harvesting: Shellfish harvesting map
Commerical 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 2025, 2026 and 2027 recreational clam fishing season
| Species | Fishing season | Minimum length | Daily recreational fishing quota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft-shell | April 1 to December 311 | 50 mm | No more than 100 clams2 |
| Bay quahaug | April 1 to December 311 | 50 mm | No more than 100 clams2 |
| Bar clam | April 1 to June 30 and September 1 to December 311 |
102 mm | No more than 100 clams2 |
| Razor clam | April 1 to December 311 | No size limit | No more than 100 clams2 |
Notes:
- 1 Exception: The area between Johnston Point and the Nova Scotia/New Brunswick Border at Baie Verte, Westmorland County, is open to recreational fishing for soft-shell clams, bar clams, bay quahaugs and razor clams from April 1 to May 31 and from October 2 to December 31.
- 2 No more than 100 clams of all species combined from the following species can be caught and retained in any day: bar clam, bay quahaug, razor clam and soft-shell clam.
Before going out fishing, consult the Shellfish Harvesting Map to find out what areas are open and closed to harvesting: Shellfish harvesting map
Recreational Fishing methods
Hand or with hand-held tools.
Diving for all species of clams is not permitted in the recreational fishery.