Tag Archives: LFA 33 and 34
Southwestern N.S. commercial lobster fishery entering season homestretch
With just over a month to go before the six-month commercial lobster fishery in Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 33 and 34 closes, fishing effort is picking up after a long, hard winter. “The biggest problem has been the weather. It’s been bad,” says Lockeport lobster dealer Mike Cotter. Dan Fleck, executive director of the Brazil Rock 33/34 Lobster Association, says for some fishermen landings are up, and for others they are down. For much of the winter in LFAs 33 and 34 the shore price was $15 a pound for lobster, dropping to $12 in mid-April. With lobster seasons opening up in other areas of Atlantic Canada starting April 19 there will probably be another drop in price, says Cotter. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:53
Crabby start to southwestern N.S. lobster season
Jonah crabs instead of lobster have been filling traps set by many southwestern Nova Scotia lobster fishermen fishing in lobster fishing area 34 the first week of the season. “Across the board, we’re hearing a massive biomass of female Jonah crab right now is loading up a lot of the traps, which is a pain for the crew,” says Heather Mulock, executive director of the Coldwater Lobster Association. “It’s always discouraging to see traps full of something you don’t want. One of the biggest concerns this year is the amount of crab.” Mulock said it’s not unusual for crews to have some crabs in their traps, but this year is different. “I’ve talked with enough fishermen, some who have been fishing 30 or 40 years, and they have never seen this much crab in their entire fishing career, so things are changing. Hopefully, this is another anomaly for LFA 34,” she said. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 11:31
N.S. lobster dealer granted bail in buyer intimidation case
A 65-year-old lobster dealer from southwest Nova Scotia charged with several counts of intimidation linked to the industry has been granted bail but is barred from dozens of fishing wharves and forbidden from going to almost every lobster wholesaler in the province. Eric David Thibault was arrested last week after RCMP alleged he and his son threatened a lobster buyer whose home near Meteghan, N.S., was shot up days earlier. Thibault also faces previous charges, including allegations he threatened a lobster fisherman who was seeking to change buyers, and three counts of witness intimidation from January involving two people at the harbour in Meteghan. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 15:43
A lobster season Q&A: Supply and demand, price volatility and challenges in markets
It’s never smooth sailing for the Atlantic Canada lobster industry. Each year there are issues and challenges to contend with. The weather and catches are beyond anyone’s control. But the one constant is how important this industry is economically to the region, and to the communities that rely on it. Tasked with such things as marketing and advocacy of the industry is the Lobster Council of Canada. In this Q&A, the council’s executive director, Geoff Irvine, talks about the industry, the upcoming lobster season in southwestern Nova Scotia, and the challenges that continue to stack up on the menu. Q: How does the fall opening of the LFA 33 and 34 districts look in comparison to previous seasons? more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:28
Father and son face charges in southwest N.S. lobster-buying intimidation case
A Lamborghini-driving lobster dealer in southwest Nova Scotia and his son have been charged with intimidating a buyer whose home was shot up last weekend, the latest in a number of allegations against the father related to threats and intimidation. Eric David Thibault, 65, and his son, Zacharie David Thibault, 32, were in custody and appeared briefly Friday in provincial court in Yarmouth, N.S. They were scheduled to return Monday. The charges stem from an alleged encounter two days ago with Geoffrey Jobert, a lobster buyer near Meteghan, N.S. His home was shot at overnight Saturday, an attack he believed was linked to organized criminals involved in purchasing illegally caught lobster. The charges against the Thibaults don’t relate to the shooting, but are instead connected to an incident Wednesday afternoon where, according to RCMP and court records, the two men are accused of approaching Jobert near his home and threatening him. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 15:08
Continuation of lobster quality and moult survey very important to southwestern NS industry
Every fall since 2005, in advance of the commercial lobster fishery opening in Lobster Fishing Areas (LFA) 33 and 34, a scientific survey has been conducted in the waters around southwestern Nova Scotia. “The overall objective of the Atlantic Lobster Moult and Quality (ALMQ) Survey is to develop an ongoing monitoring program, based on biological indicators of moult-timing, quality and environmental conditions, to predict the quality of lobsters at the start of the lobster seasons in LFAs 33 and 34,” says Heather Mulock, executive director of the Coldwater Lobster Association. “The data collected is used to establish a framework for adaptation decision-making for the lobster sector, including ensuring better product marketability, live storage, and international shipping valuation.” more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:10
Dumping day begins in southwestern Nova Scotia with calm conditions
Dumping day began with much fanfare in southwestern Nova Scotia early Tuesday morning. Fireworks signaled the start of the commercial lobster season in Sambro, with loved ones waving goodbye from the wharf where crowds gathered to see the fishers off. “It’s an exciting morning, we always all come down and watch the fireworks, as they go out, it’s a pretty big day for everybody,” said Briana Beaver, whose partner is a fisher. Dumping day for lobster fishing areas 33 and 34 is typically the final Monday of November, but there was a one-day delay this year due to rough weather. While conditions were calm Tuesday, boats that work in LFA 34, which extends from Shelburne County around the southwest coast of the province, were allowed to leave a bit earlier at 5 a.m. Photos, Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 10:30
Shot fired into lobster buyer’s home as southwest N.S. season opens
Commercial fishermen set to start the lucrative lobster fishery in southwest Nova Scotia on Tuesday morning are boycotting buyers alleged to be profiteering off the unlicensed summer fishery in St. Mary’s Bay. On Saturday night, one of the buyers those fishermen in lobster fishing areas 33 and 34 have turned to have a shot fired through his home. On Sunday morning, Geoffrey Jobert, owner of Lobster Hub Inc. in Meteghan, went downstairs in his Clare County home and found a series of holes passing through his garage door, kitchen, dining room and living room. He found a round lodged in his hardwood rocking chair. “It was stormy the night before and we didn’t hear the shot,” said Jobert. On the road outside, he said, he found a spent shell casing. While there was no message left, Jobert said he knows why he’s being threatened. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:18
Nova Scotia: Safety Top Priority as Lobster Season Begins
With the lobster season about to start, fishing crews in southwestern Nova Scotia are reminded to make safety a top priority. Dumping Day, as the first day of the season is known, will see thousands of lobster traps dumped along the south and western shores in lobster fishing areas 33 and 34. The start in both areas is weather dependent but is expected to be Monday, November 25. The Province urges fishers to take the time and necessary steps to stay safe. Fishing crews preparing to head out each day should: monitor the weather, assess their boats, check all vessel safety equipment to ensure it is inspected and accessible, prepare for emergencies. Occupational health and safety laws require all crew members to wear a life jacket or other personal flotation device. Links, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 15:06
‘Looks like the worst spring in 25 years’: lobster prices, catches down as seasons wraps up in southwestern N.S.
Landings have been low all spring in Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 33 and 34, which runs from Eastern Passage, Halifax County, to Burns Point Digby County, and includes all of Yarmouth and Shelburne counties. “Some people are down as much as 40 per cent. Some not as much. From the numbers I crunched it looks like on average we’re down 25 per cent over previous years, which sort of looks like the worst spring in 25 years,” says Dan Fleck, executive director of the Brazil Rock 33/34 Lobster Association. Cotter noted fishers in other recently opened LFAs in the Atlantic provinces are also experiencing low catches, bad weather and cold water temperatures. The shore price, which peaked at $13 a pound in the winter and early spring, plummeted to $8 in early May for LFA 33 and 34 fishers. >click to read< 14:48
Nova Scotia: Government Urges Safety as Southwestern Lobster Season Starts
Lobster fishing season begins Monday, November 28, in Southwestern Nova Scotia. Dumping Day, as it is known in lobster fishing areas 33 and 34, brings excitement and opportunity – but also great risk. Boats are often loaded with traps and gear, and crews must be prepared for a wide range of weather conditions. “Boarding boats in the cold and dark, at the mercy of the weather and the sea, makes fishing dangerous work. Safety is a crucial priority,” said Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Steve Craig. “One tragedy is one too many, so we urge fishing captains and crews to make sure they follow their safety training and take every precaution, so they are able to come home safely to their loved ones.” >click to read< 08:07
Spring Fishing Ramping Up After Harsh Winter Weather
With two months to go before the six-month commercial lobster season closes in lobster fishing areas (LFA) 33 and 34, the fishing fleet will be back on the water in full force come April in southwestern Nova Scotia. Going into March, the fishery had slowed to a crawl with severe winter storms keeping the fleet ashore and even prompting some fishermen to land their gear. “February has been a challenge, the weather,” said Tommy Amirault, president of the Coldwater Lobster Association. “I think a lot of people are encouraged by the price, but the weather has been an issue. It’s slowed the fishery down and that’s probably a factor in the price.” >click to read< 13:03
LFA 33 and 34 – No Decision For Wednesday Dumping Day
Port Reps for LFA 33 and 34 held another round of pre-season weather calls this afternoon. The Coldwater Lobster Association says not vote was held and no decision has been made at this point for a Wednesday Dumping Day. The lobster fishing season was originally scheduled to start this morning, the call to delay was made over the weekend. >click to read< 15:31
Focus is on safety as lobster season opening nears in southwestern NS
Wharves are full of lobster fishing gear waiting to be loaded aboard the more than 1,600 vessels in Lobster Fishing Areas 33 and 34, which will head to sea on dumping day to set their gear. The season is scheduled to open on Nov. 29 in both LFAs, but an early two-day weather window flexibility agreement granted to the industry this year by DFO would allow for the season to open as early as Nov. 27 if the forecast is calling for strong winds on Monday. Saturday, Nov. 27 has already been called as a no-go due to the weather. The next conference call to discuss the weather is set for Friday morning, Nov. 25. >click to read< 11:52
Photos & video: 2019-2020 lobster fishery comes to a close in southwest N.S.
The six-month 2019-2020 commercial lobster fishery in southwestern N.S. and along the province’s south shore came to a close on Sunday, May 31. Here is a look at some of the activity at the wharves a the Yarmouth Bar and in Pinkney’s Point in Yarmouth County. Here’s a few images from Yarmouth County on the last day on May 31. Photos and video by Tina Comeau. >click to read< 09:00
Coronavirus: Proposed lobster fishery closure thumbs down. Not all lobster dealers agree.
A proposal by the Nova Scotia Seafood Alliance to temporarily close the lobster fishery in Lobster Fishing Areas (LFA) 33 and 34 is not getting industry support. An Industry conference call involving about a dozen industry representatives resulted a consensus by the majority that there be no variation order to close the lobster fishery in LFAs 33 and 34.,, Not all lobster dealers agree closing the fishery is the best way to deal with the situation. “The answer is not shutting down the industry,” said Erica Smith, president of Fishermen’s Premium Atlantic Lobster Inc. on Cape Sable Island. more, >click to read< 08:07
Safe opening to lobster fishery in southwest N.S. but harsh weather followed during week one
The weather was wild and woolly for the first week of the lobster season in southwestern Nova Scotia. After a one-day weather delay to the start of the season, fishermen headed to sea to dump their traps on Nov. 26 in good conditions, followed by a slicker for the first hauling day. It was all down hill after that, with gale force winds prevailing for the rest of the week, keeping much of the fleet ashore. “They got out the one day and that was it,” >click to read< 17:39
SAR resources will be in place for lobster season opening in southwest Nova Scotia
A full complement of Search and Rescue (SAR) resources will be on the water and standing by when the commercial lobster fishery in LFAs 33 and 34 opens. “We’re in the business of planning for the worst and hoping for the best,” said Marc Ouellette, Canadian Coast Guard Regional Supervisor for Maritime Search and Rescue at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Halifax.,, Ouellette said there’s a strategy in place for the opening of the LFA 33 and 34 fishery, which is repeated every year without too much modification and is based on the amount of marine traffic and the risk identified through studies of what is high risk for SAR coverage. >click to read<10:21
One man band(er) in high demand
There’s a growing list of South Shore lobster crews in desperate need of John Cooke’s expertise. Just a few days into the season, catches are currently at their most plentiful and serious money is to be made in the province’s most lucrative fishing zones, LFA 33 and 34. But having a competent lobster bander like Cooke, a guy with 15 years experience (who claims he can rubber band two lobster claws in roughly as many seconds) is a must. Captains are crying out for them. Cooke shot down three offers this fall. click here to read the story 18:40
