About 1,450 lobster boats to head out on Day 1 of Canada’s largest lobster fishery

Fishers Prepare for Lobster Fishing Season in Southern Nova Scotia

Approximately 1,450 boats in Canada’s largest lobster fishery are gearing up for the start of the annual lobster fishing season in southern Nova Scotia. Known as “dumping day,” the event is scheduled for the early hours of Tuesday, following a one-day delay due to rough weather conditions.

Dwayne Surette, a manager at the federal Fisheries Department, expressed optimism about the weather conditions for Tuesday morning, with waves expected to subside and light winds forecasted. These favorable conditions are crucial as the first day of the season is considered the most dangerous, with boats loaded with hundreds of traps that can compromise the stability of the vessels.

Boats in fishing area 33 will set sail around 7 a.m., covering a stretch from Cow Bay in Halifax down to Shelburne County. On the other hand, vessels in area 34, which extends from southern Shelburne County to Digby County, will depart at 5 a.m. Surette explained that the earlier departure time for area 34 is to avoid potential rough weather conditions forecasted for the evening.

Last year, the opening of the season in area 34 was delayed by a week due to adverse weather. In the previous fishing season, the combined landings in the two areas amounted to 24,000 tonnes, generating an estimated value of $558 million.