Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Assoc.

SAFETY AT SEA AND OPENING DATES
FOR LOBSTER FISHERY
Moncton – April 29, 2014 EKME # 3095311

Fisheries and Oceans Canada advises fish harvesters that due to higher than average seasonal ice accumulations and weather conditions, there may be some delays in the placement of navigational aids and the opening of the lobster fishery. As such, the Department wishes to advise fish harvesters to take extra care when navigating certain areas within the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Navigational aids have been installed in most areas of the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, except on the east coast of New Brunswick where work should be completed in the coming week. We ask that you avoid placing any fishing gear near locations where charted aids to navigation are placed in order to ensure that Canadian Coast Guard vessels are unencumbered when doing their work.
Additionally, due to weather forecast, the opening date for the lobster fishery in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 24, sub LFA 26A-2, and management area 26B south, is now set for May 1, 2014, at 6:00 a.m. In management areas 26A-1 and 26A-3, the opening date will remain on April 30, 2014. In LFA 23, the opening date is being delayed. An industry-led committee is regularly assessing ice conditions in this area and will recommend an opening date. Opening dates for all other LFAs will remain as indicated in the April 23, 2014 Notice to Fish Harvesters.

For more information, please contact:
Réjean Hébert
Fisheries and Aquaculture Management
Fisheries & Oceans Canada
Moncton, NB
(506) 851-7793