Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Assoc.

LOBSTER MANAGEMENT CHANGES IN LOBSTER FISHING AREA 24

Charlottetown - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announces the following Lobster Management Changes for Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 24:

 The minimum legal size of lobster carapace will be increased to 73 millimetres (mm) for the 2018 fishing season.

 All female lobster of a length 115 millimetres (mm) or greater shall be returned to the water immediately in a manner that causes it the least harm. This will be implemented for the 2018 fishing season.

 A minimum of six traps per line will be implemented for 2018 fishing season.

 Mandatory use of two escape panels per parlor for the 2019 fishing season

This decision was made after a formal request to change lobster management was received from the Prince Edward Island Fishermen’s Association (PEIFA). These changes were also support by Indigenous organizations on PEI.

Increasing the minimum legal size of carapace will have conservation benefits by allowing more fecund females to produce eggs before being exposed to the fishery.

The opening date of the fishery and further details on other management measures will be issued at a later date.

FOR INFORMATION:

Ben Moore

Resource Management

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Charlottetown, PEI

(902) 566-7844