The opening of the spring season in P.E.I.’s Lobster Fishing Area 26A has been delayed until Saturday, April 1, due to forecasted high waves in the northeastern Northumberland Strait. Crews will not begin hauling their first traps until Monday, April 3, as traps will be placed Saturday morning and P.E.I. lobster boats do not go out on Sundays.
The decision to delay the opening was made after a conference call involving Department of Fisheries and Oceans officials and representatives from each harbor participating in the fishery. The season was originally scheduled to open Friday along Prince Edward Island’s south coast, stretching from Souris to Victoria-by-the-Sea.
The setting day for the North Shore fishery — in Lobster Fishing Area 24, which reaches from around Tignish to East Point — is still scheduled for Monday, April 3. When opening day is delayed, the season closes a day late, up to a maximum of four days.
In a Facebook post to members late Wednesday, the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association said the opening will be delayed until 6 a.m. Saturday, with DFO citing “adverse weather conditions.” “Wishing all our 26A lobster fishers a safe setting day and a prosperous season,” the association’s post said.
This map shows the locations of Lobster Fishing Area 24, covering the North Shore of Prince Edward Island, and Lobster Fishing Area 26-A1, stretching from Souris in the northeast to Victoria in south-central P.E.I. Lobster Fishing Areas 26-A2 and 26-A3 take in parts of northern Nova Scotia.
