Notices to Fish Harvesters

Subject: Opening of the Exploratory Lobster fishery in subareas 18A to 18H

Sept-Iles – May 7, 2024

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is implementing a plan for the knowledge acquisition and development of the lobster fishery in fishing area 18. This plan includes the issuance of exploratory lobster licences for the 2024 season. DFO invites interested licence holders to submit an application for an exploratory licence for lobster in fishing subareas 18A to 18H by April 21, 2024.

The opening dates of the 2024 lobster exploratory fishing season for subareas 18A to 18H correspond to the same dates as the commercial lobster fishing season according to the following periods:

Sub-area 18A : From May 15 to July 30

Sub-area 18B : From May 15 to July 30

Sub-area 18C : From April 29 to July 14

Sub-area 18D : From May 15 to July 30

Sub-area 18E : From May 15 to July 30

Sub-area 18F : From May 15 to July 30

Sub-area 18G : From May 6  to July 21

Sub-area 18H : From May 6 to July 21

Please note that the season will start at 5:00 a.m. on opening day and end at 11:59 p.m. on closing day for all sub-areas.

Prospective exploratory licence holders will be allowed to sell their catches and will have to comply with all the management measures that will be included in the Conservation Harvesting Plan for the exploratory lobster fishery in subareas 18A to 18H in effect and with the licence conditions issued.

Exploratory licence holders will also be required to comply with a protocol to collect data that will document the stock's ability to support a commercial fishery.

Licence Conditions

In order to obtain the Conditions of License, anglers must access the National Permit System online. For assistance with the National Online Licensing System, please contact customer support by phone at 1-877-535-7307 or by email at fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

For additional information

Please visit our website at the following address: Quebec Region | Fisheries and Oceans Canada (dfo-mpo.gc.ca)

Resource Management

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

North Shore Area : 1-800-463-1729