Fishery officers in northeastern New Brunswick inspected 180 lobster vessels

In northeastern New Brunswick, fishery officers recently conducted a comprehensive inspection of the lobster fishery in Lobster Fishing Area 23, which stretches from Pointe Verte to Escuminac. The inspection involved checking 180 lobster vessels and 480 traps to ensure adherence to fisheries management regulations. The results of this inspection have highlighted several areas of non-compliance and enforcement actions:

- 19 files are currently under investigation, indicating that serious concerns were found which require further scrutiny.
- 21 written warnings were issued to fishers for various infractions, serving as a formal notice to correct their practices and comply with regulations.
- 4 tickets were handed out for a range of violations:
  1. Catching lobsters below the minimum legal size, which can harm the breeding stock and the overall health of the population.
  2. Possession of female lobsters with eggs (v-notched lobsters), which are protected to maintain the reproductive capacity of the fishery.
  3. Use of non-regulatory trap escapes, which may not effectively allow small or non-target species to escape, affecting the ecosystem balance.
  4. Possession of lobster parts separated from the thorax, which can be illegal if not properly processed and reported.
  5. Incomplete tag registers, which are essential for tracking and managing the lobster catch.
  6. An incomplete electronic logbook, which is a critical tool for monitoring and enforcing fisheries regulations.

The participation of three Fishery Guardians from the Esgenoopetitj First Nation in this operation underscores the collaborative effort between the government and Indigenous communities to safeguard the sustainability of the lobster fishery. These guardians played a crucial role in ensuring that traditional knowledge and local perspectives were integrated into the enforcement and conservation process.

To report any suspicious activity or potential violations, individuals are encouraged to use the provided link: https://ow.ly/xvZu50Wmgj3. This helps maintain the integrity of the fishery and contributes to the sustainable management of marine resources.