N.L. Ropeless Fishing Gear Needs Work to be Viable: CCFI
The Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation (CCFI), an organization that supports research and development within the seafood industry, recently tested the viability of ropeless fishing gear in Newfoundland and Labrador’s crab and lobster fishery.
While ropeless gear, also known as rope-on-command (ROC) gear, would allow harvesters to fish in areas closed due to the sighting of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, the CCFI has identified a number of issues with the ...
COVID-19 Impact on Lobster Markets a Daily Concern
Above: Lonnie Snow photo
It is day by day for lobster buyers and dealers in the Maritimes, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact markets around the world.
“The marketplace continues to be a work-in-progress,” said Leo Muise, executive director of the Nova Scotia Seafood Alliance. “As of the end of January, we can report that 2020 was rather challenging in the seafood sector and the initial weeks of 2021 have been similarly so.”
Muise said the market in ...
International Fleet has Doubled Since 1950
3.7-Million Fishing Vessels Now Plying the World’s Oceans
If you walk into any rural community or fisheries-related museum anywhere in Atlantic Canada, chances are you will see old, faded photographs of busy harbours hanging on the walls.
Harbours that were not only bustling with people and commerce but were absolutely filled with boats — in many cases hundreds of small fishing vessels, backed with impressive looking schooners at anchor.
There were so many small boats back then, that ...
A Monster Exhibit: Model of Record Catch to be Unveiled at Yarmouth Shark Scramble
Above photo: Yarmouth Shark Scramble co-founder Bob Gavel poses with the record-setting short-fin mako shark when it was landed in 2004. A life-size replica of the mako will soon be on display on the Yarmouth waterfront at Rudder’s Wharf, home of the tournament. Contributed photo.
A life-sized replica of the record-setting mako shark caught during the 2004 Yarmouth Shark Scramble will soon be on display at Rudder’s Wharf on the Yarmouth waterfront.
“We just ordered it yesterda...
Our People Problem — Part II
Last month, I wrote a rather lengthy column about the “people problem” we have here in Atlantic Canada.
In this month’s column, I thought I would bring a sharper focus to the issues I discussed.
As I pointed out in last month’s column, the problem is not just that we have a diminishing workforce, even though that is a serious issue. In many ways, the diminishing workforce is merely a symptom of much deeper problems that need to be addressed. If we only try to treat the symptom, we ...
DFO Announces Opening Dates for Lobster Fishing Areas 24, 26A and 26B South
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced that the Lobster fishery in Lobster Fishing Area LFA 24, LFA 26A and LFA 26B South will open at 06:00 a.m. on Friday May 3, 2019.
LFA 26A-1 from Point Prim to Victoria, Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) will open at 6:00 a.m. on Monday May 6, 2019, subject to weather conditions.
DFO wishes to remind fish harvesters to take extra care when navigating on the opening day of the lobster fishery as vessels are loaded with gear and traps. Harvesters are ...
Boating, Fishing, Hunting and More: Three Events Take Over the Moncton Coliseum March 29 to 31
The region’s largest fishing, hunting and outdoors events are returning to the Moncton Coliseum this March 29 to 31: the New Brunswick Sportsmen’s Show, Moncton Boat Show, and the Dieppe Fly Fishing Forum. Expected to attract thousands of visitors from across New Brunswick and the Maritimes, attendees will get the chance to experience the latest in boating, fishing, hunting, and the best of the region’s outdoor adventures.
“This unique lineup of shows brings together some of the ...
Why Do We Fish?
In last month’s column, I asked the question, how should we define success in the fishery in Atlantic Canada?”
I went on to suggest we need to reconsider what it takes to be successful, because what we have been doing hasn’t been working. This month, I will continue with that overall theme, by asking the related question, “why do we fish?”
Maybe the answer seems obvious — we fish to catch fish, the more the better. But that is neither the right answer nor a good one. Fishing ...
Minister Announces Changes to the Fisheries Act
Today, Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard announced amendments to the Fisheries Act that would restore lost protections and incorporate modern safeguards to protect our fish and their habitat for generations to come.
LeBlanc said the Government of Canada is putting in place better rules to protect the environment.
“To preserve, protect and help restore our environment we need a Fisheries Act that Canadians can trust. Today, I am pleased we are ...
