Sustainability
The harvesters in Lobster Fishing Area 27 have distinguished themselves for their conservation efforts and sustainable practices at sea
Size Increase
Before 1997, the Minimum Legal Size was 70 mm Carapace Length. After 1997, the minimum legal size of a lobster has increased. This was voted on by harvesters in the area and accepted by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). Legal sizes have continued to increase because the harvesters are invested in leaving enough stock untouched to keep the industry sustainable.
The minimum legal size is currently 82.5mm in carapace length. This is measured from the eyestalk to where the body meets the tail. Originally fishermen divided their catch into canners (maximum 81mm) and markets (minimum 81mm). In 2014, CBFHA was responsible for an important vote. In order to allow for an increase in the minimum allowable size of a lobster, 50% of lobster licenses holder in LFA 27 needed to be in favour. Since then, LFA27 lobster harvesters voted for 3 size increases and now fish a minimum size of 82.5mm.
The size increase was recommended by the Maritime Lobster Panel: from the Canadian market size 81mm or 3 3/16" to the American market size 82.5mm or 3 1/4". It is thought that the larger lobster is easier to market, requires less handling in the sorting process, and is easier to export into the US. From a biological standpoint, the larger lobster left in the water will molt and result in a 1.4 times higher weight of product.
This increase had already been implemented in our neighbours on the Gulf side (LFA26B) and throughout the Maritimes Region in LFAs 28 to 41.
Lobster Quality and Handling Workshops
Fish harvesters have had many opportunities to attend lobster quality and handling workshops focused on how to land, release, and hold lobster for optimum quality and sustainability.
Science and monitoring
LFA27 lobster harvesters manage their own research programme which monitors the health and sustainability of the lobster stock and which seeks to innovate the industry to improve its sustainability and its quality product.
Seasonality
The fishing season runs from Mid-May to Mid-July ensuring a high quality, hard shelled, delicious and sustainable lobster.
The protein sampling and molt staging monitors quality and lets us keep track of how our stock is doing for health and reproductive stage over the season.
Social & Community Sustainability
The lobster fishery in Atlantic Canada falls under Canada's Owner-Operator Policy: the owner of the fishing license must operate the boat. With 500 license holders in LFA27, we are vital to the economy of this area and that is most obvious, though not exclusive, to our rural areas.
Trap Limits
Each fish harvester fishes 275 traps and some ports have voluntarily reduced their trap limit to 250.
Trap design
Rules govern the size, design, and type of trap. Within legislation, our harvesters can choose between many types and designs of traps including a choice between wire or wooden traps.
Escape mechanisms
These allow undersized lobsters to move freely in and out of the traps. This minimizes the amount that harvesters need to handle undersized lobsters which can be stressful on the animal and take time away from fishers.
Biodegradable
Some components of the trap will disintegrate over time. This way, if a trap is lost at sea, parts of it will break down and let lobsters and unintended species out of the trap. In this way, biodegradable hog rings prevent “ghost fishing" by opening up escape hatches in the lost trap.
Protection of egg-bearing females
All egg-bearing females are returned to the water at all times. During our At-Sea Sampling, we record the stage of the pregnant lobster (called a berried female because the eggs look like black berries!) to determine when lobster larvae enters our waters and the condition of mom at the time.