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NR-M-96-18E
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April 26, 1996
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OPENING OF THE SPRING LOBSTER FISHING SEASON
MONCTON - The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO),
Maritimes Region, Gulf Fisheries, announced today the management
mesures for the spring fishing seasons for Lobster Fishing Areas
(LFAs) within the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence.
In Lobster Fishing Areas 23, 24, 26A and 26B, the fishery will
open April 30 at 6:00 hours and will close at midnight June 30,
1996.
Management measures for 1996 are:
- All lobster traps will be required to have a biodegradable
panel with a minimum opening of 89 mm by 148 mm (3 ½ inches
by 5 7/8 inches). This measure will reduce fishing from traps
which are lost.
- DFO will continue to cooperate closely with the lobster fishing
industry on studying the durability of different materials used
in the construction of biodegradable panels.
- The rectangular escape mechanism with a minimum size of 38.1
mm by 127 mm (1 ½ inches by 5 inches) will be implemented
in all LFAs within the southern part of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
This measure will allow undersized lobsters to leave traps before
being hauled to the surface.
The minimum carapace size will remain unchanged in 1996 and will
be as follows:
- LFA 23 - 66.7 mm (2 5/8")
- LFA 24 - 63.5 mm (2 ½")
- LFA 26A - 65.1 mm (2 9/16")
- LFA 26B - 70 mm (2 ¾")
Consultations will continue to be held this year with the lobster
fishing industry to discuss the recommendations by the Fisheries
Resource Conservative Council (FRCC) in its report presented last
November to DFO entitled A Conservation Framework for Atlantic
Lobster. Major topics such as the reductions in both exploitation
rates and in fishing effort, lobster production areas (LPAs) the
level of egg production, the implementation of a new conservation
framework, including partnership, will be addressed.
- 30 -
FOR INFORMATION:
Maurice Mallet
Resource Management
Fisheries and Oceans
Moncton, N.B.
(506) 851-3848
Rhéal Boucher
Resource Management
Fisheries and Oceans
Tracadie-Sheila, N.B.
(506) 395-7705
H. H. (Hank) Scarth
Area Manager
Fisheries and Oceans
Charlottetown, P.E.I.
(902) 566-7810
John Hanlon
Area Manager
Fisheries and Oceans
Antigonish, N.S.
(902) 863-5670
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