Tracadie, New Brunswick (NB) – September 9, 2026 – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is releasing today the 2026-2028 Commercial Oyster Fishery Management Plan for the Eastern New Brunswick (ENB) area.
Fishing areas and opening dates for 2026, 2027 and 2028 seasons
Public oyster-fishing areas in the tidal waters of NB that flow in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (GSL) and the Northumberland Strait, except those waters mentioned below:
- 2026: Open season from September 21st to November 7th
- 2027: Open season from September 20th to November 6th
- 2028: Open season from September 18th to November 4th
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:
- 2026: Open season from September 21st to October 24th
- 2027: Open season from September 20th to October 23rd
- 2028: Open season from September 18th to October 21th
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 harbour:
- 2026: Open season from September 21st to October 24th
- 2027: Open season from September 20th to October 23rd
- 2028: Open season from September 18th to October 21th
NEW licence condition
A new licence condition has been added to all commercial oyster licences regarding notifying DFO or the NB Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Veterinarian of any significant mortalities of oysters.
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 ENB.
- DFO would like to remind fish harvesters that they cannot have a drag in their possession while they are conducting fishing activities.