Whale detection shuts down much of the Cape Breton snow crab fishery
The detection of an endangered North Atlantic right whale in the Gulf of St. Lawrence has caused the temporary closure of much of the snow crab fishery off Cape Breton’s west coast. It comes just days after the opening of the season.
The whale was detected by an acoustic sensor.
Fishermen have until 5 p.m. Monday to remove their fishing gear from a large closed area. Many had just dropped their pots.
The closure is set for 15 days.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans issued a notice on Friday about the closure of harvesters. It affects about 140 permit holders in what is known as Crab Fishing Area 19.
Some harvesters may stop until the closure ends, while others may try to find a spot that will remain open.
Terrible start to the season
It’s a terrible start for the fishermen.
Wharfside prices are already down to around $2.35, half the 2022 price.
The season runs from mid-July to mid-September. In reality it is shorter as the quota is usually caught before the season ends.
This has been an unusual year for the critically endangered whales. They arrived en masse later in the season and have been sighted in shallow water for the first time.
In Atlantic Canada, a single whale detection closes off an area of 2,100 square kilometers of open water for 15 days. In the Gulf, whether the whales keep appearing or staying is for the entire season.
