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P.E.I. lobster fishermen may get to set traps early this month

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Setting day could also be a bit sooner than common for P.E.I. fishermen this spring.

The Division of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) stated just lately it should contemplate an early season opening as much as 72 hours earlier than the scheduled season opening on April 30.

That may apply to fishermen in lobster fishing areas 23, 24 and 26A if all situations, comparable to channel dredging, ice situations and buoys set up and climate, are beneficial.

If the season does open early, it will likely be shortened on the finish of the season. For instance, if the season opens in the future early, it should shut in the future early.

Late final 12 months, some P.E.I. fishermen had voted to maneuver setting day to April 26.

In an interview earlier this 12 months, Mike Dixon, co-chair of the LFA 26A lobster advisory committee, informed SaltWire Community the rationale fishermen wished to begin and finish early is to keep away from having the season spill into July and intervene with the reproductive season for lobsters.

The season has spilled into July in every of the final two seasons.

Mike Dixon, co-chair of LFA26A, pictured working on his traps in Grahams Pond Harbour on Dec. 29, 2021 said lobster fishermen in his area voted in favour of moving setting day for the spring fishery up this year to avoid having the season spill into molting season.  - Contributed
Mike Dixon, co-chair of LFA26A, pictured engaged on his traps in Grahams Pond Harbour on Dec. 29, 2021 stated lobster fishermen in his space voted in favour of shifting setting day for the spring fishery up this 12 months to keep away from having the season spill into molting season. – Contributed

“As industrial fishermen, we acknowledge the useful resource turns into weak at sure occasions of the 12 months when the water temperature reaches a sure diploma in order that places the lobster into their reproductive levels,’’ Dixon stated in January.

The date change additionally provides fishers some wiggle room in relation to coping with wind situations.

Lobster fishermen have been delayed previous April 30 three out of the previous 5 years because of robust winds.


Fishing areas
Following are the lobster fishing areas in Prince Edward Island:
• LFA 24: north shore of the province.
• LFA 25: North Cape to Victoria.
• LFA 26: Victoria to East Level.


DFO stated if the season opening is delayed this 12 months, the 2021 tips will apply and the lobster season might be shifted, on the finish of the season, in the future for every day it’s delayed, as much as a most of 4 days.

DFO will monitor and assess the state of affairs on the numerous wharves just a few weeks earlier than the scheduled opening.

Convention calls might be held within the days main as much as the scheduled opening between DFO and stakeholders to acquire suggestions.

LFA 25 will open at 6 a.m. on Might 7 and shut July 7, topic to ice and climate situations.



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