OPENING OF THE LOBSTER FISHERY - LFA 35

Dartmouth, N.S. -- The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Scotia-Fundy Sector, Martimes Region today announced the opening of the 2000 lobster fishery in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 35. This fishery, which is worth approximately $10 million to the local economy, opens on October 14 and runs until December 31, 2000.

Landings in this portion of the Bay of Fundy, including LFAs 36 and 38 (the remaining portion of mainland Southern New Brunswick bordering on the Bay of Fundy and Grand Manan), have increased from 950t in 1989 to approximately 2,500t in 1999. Since 1998, fishers in these areas, and elsewhere in Atlantic Canada, have implemented additional conservation measures to help improve and maintain healthy stock levels by increasing minimum carapace sizes and adopting other measures such as v-notching female lobsters.

LFA 35 fishers conduct surveys during their regular fishing activities to collect and record scientific information on stock characteristics, a valuable component of the stock assessment process. The area is part of a larger working group of LFAs throughout the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine, which includes LFAs 33, 34, 36, 38 and 41 (offshore), working to improve scientific data currently available. This ensures that appropriate management measures are in place to maintain a sustainable and economically viable lobster fishery.

LFA 35 is located between Burns Point in Digby County, Nova Scotia and into the far upper reaches of the Bay of Fundy, including the shores of Southern New Brunswick between Alma and Goose River. Fishers set a total of 300 traps each during this part of their season. The remainder of the season runs from the last day in February to July 31, 2001.

For more information:

Jim Jamieson
Senior Advisor
Fisheries & Oceans Canada
(902) 426-8981

Wendy Williams
Communications
Fisheries & Oceans Canada
(902) 426-6409