Department of Fisheries and Oceans

Three men stand in front of a rock wall handling yellow lobster traps.

Nova Scotia lobster fishermen gear up for Dumping Day

November 22, 2024 by Rick Conrad

Fishermen along Nova Scotia’s South Shore are getting ready for Dumping Day.

Depending on the weather, Dumping Day will start for Queens County fishermen at 7 a.m. Monday, when vessels race to set their traps in some of the most lucrative fishing grounds in North America. The season usually runs from the last Monday in November to May 31st.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans determines the day based on weather forecasts. Dumping Day can be moved up or delayed by a day if the forecast predicts wind stronger than 26 knots.

About 680 vessels fish out of Lobster Fishing Area 33, which includes Queens County, and runs from Cow Bay near Halifax to Shelburne. Last season’s overall catch was down from the year before, but it still generated $163 million for fishermen in LFA 33.

A European green crab with 5 spikes on its spine is hand held.

First invasive green crab identified on Cortes

May 3, 2024 by Loni Taylor

One of the most invasive species in the world, the European Green Crab, was found for the first time on Cortes Island last Thursday, April 25.

Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI), Klahoose Fisheries, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans have been collaborating on a monitoring project on Cortes in anticipation of a possible spread of the species.

Executive Director of FOCI Helen Hall explained why the crabs are so harmful to the environment.

“They damage eelgrass beds, they compete with other native species of crab and they do a lot of harm… they’re prevalent on the west coast of Vancouver Island, where they’ve caused a huge amount of issues there, and they’re very hard to get rid of.”

Invasive species in general can be partially prevented by humans thoroughly cleaning any boats being transported from one body of water to another. Visit CleanDrainDry.ca for more information.

Listen to the CKTZ News Update.

Department of Fisheries and Oceans

Nova Scotia lobster fishermen gear up for Dumping Day

First invasive green crab identified on Cortes

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