Harvesters Circumspect as LFA 33/34 Gears Up for Opening
Above: Kathy Johnson photo
After a lacklustre 2022/23 season, industry stakeholders in southwestern Nova Scotia were taking a cautious approach as they readied for the start of the LFA (lobster fishing area) 33/34 fishery, scheduled to open Nov. 27, weather permitting.
“This year, especially after the spring we had, everybody is keeping their expenses low, working their numbers over. It was a really hard spring. Not many lobsters. The price wasn’t good. People are watching ...
Challenging Season Winding Down in LFA 33/34
Above: The Ryer Lake II and the Sonia Dianne steam into the Falls Point wharf in Woods Harbour after a day on the lobster fishing grounds in LFA 34. Kathy Johnson photos
With a month to go before the traps come ashore, low landings were still being reported in lobster fishing areas (LFAs) 33 and 34.
“There’s nothing to write home about this season,” says Tommy Amirault, president of the Coldwater Lobster Association. “It’s been a tough go this spring.”
Going into ...
LFA 33–34 Fishery Ready to Ramp Back Up
Above: The Miss Kylie Anne and the Atlantic Tide steam back into port at the Falls Point wharf in Woods Harbour after a day on the lobster fishing grounds. Kathy Johnson photo
After the usual winter lull in the LFA 33–34 lobster fishery, by late March/early April the countdown will be on to the May 31 season end.
“By April most people will be back at it,” says Tommy Amirault, president of the Coldwater Lobster Association. “Where that price settles and what the ...
Knowledge Itself is Power
To the surprise of few, the current season in lobster fishing areas 33–34 is turning out to be a difficult one.
Everyone involved with what is one of the world’s largest lobster fisheries knew the chips were stacked against them this year. Some have even called it a perfect storm of decreased landings, markets and prices, combined with early foul and inclement weather.
From lower shore prices, to international market uncertainty, to the back-breaking jump in inflation — these ...
Lobster Season Set to Open in Southwestern Nova Scotia
Above: Woods Harbour fisherman Edsel Graham (left) and his son Nicholas overhaul lobster traps in preparation for the upcoming lobster season in southwestern Nova Scotia, scheduled to open Nov. 28. Kathy Johnson photo
Thousands of harvesters will be aboard more than 1,700 fishing vessels when the lobster season opens in lobster fishing areas (LFA) 33 and 34 on Nov. 28.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is allowing for up to two days of flexibility in the opening date ...
Optimistic Outlook for LFA 33/34 Lobster Season
Above photo: LFA 34 fishermen offload gear in advance of the 2021/22 lobster fishery. Kathy Johnson photo
Weather permitting, thousands of lobster fishermen in southwestern Nova Scotia will be heading to sea on November 29, marking the start of the six-month lobster fishery in lobster fishing areas (LFA) 33 and 34.
“I think fishermen are optimistic. The market appears to be strong even with COVID-19,” said Tommy Amirault, president of the Coldwater Lobster Association....
LFA 33, 34 Season Closes with Strong Prices
Above: Lonnie Snow Photo
There was a strong shore price right to the end of the six-month commercial lobster fishery in Nova Scotia lobster fishing areas (LFA) 33 and 34.
The season closed on May 31 with fishermen fetching between $8 and $8.25/pound for their catch.
Since the season opened, shore prices have been solid in LFAs 33 and 34. An opening shore price of $7 to $7.25 soon went to $8/pound where it stayed until late January. From there it climbed to a high of $15, ...
LFA 33, 34 Seasons Continue on an Even Keel
Above: Fishing boats line up to offload their catch of the day at the Falls Point wharf in Woods Harbour. Kathy Johnson photo
It has been steady as she goes for the first two months of the southwest Nova fishery in lobster fishing areas (LFA) 33 and 34.
“It’s been very steady,” said Lockeport buyer Mike Cotter of Cotter’s Ocean Products. “It hasn’t been a crazy season like normal years when there would be an $11/pound shore price, two days later it would be $13, ...
Lobster Season Underway in Southwest Nova Scotia
Above photo: The lobster season in LFA 33 opened on Nov. 30 and Dec. 2 in LFA 34. Kathy Johnson photos
There wasn’t a peaceful, easy feeling for the commercial lobster fishing sector in Southwest Nova Scotia as the all-important six-month season opened in lobster fishing areas (LFAs) 33 and 34.
Threats of gear tampering by First Nations had harvesters on high alert, while COVID-19 has lobster buyers monitoring market conditions day by day.
“I would say that the sector ...
LFA 33-34 Lobster Fishery Set to Open Nov. 30
Above photo: Shelburne County lobster fisherman Josh Garron paints buoys for the upcoming season in Southwestern Nova Scotia. Kathy Johnson photos
Weather permitting, the commercial lobster fishery in Lobster Fishing Areas (LFA) 33 and 34 will open on Nov. 30 this year.
The largest lobster fishery in Canada, more than 4,000 fishermen will head to sea aboard the 979 licenced vessels in LFA 34 and 683 in LFA 33 for the six-month season.
Given the economic turmoil and ...
