Southwestern Nova Scotia lobster fishermen are pushing back against proposed changes to Lobster Fishing Area (LFA 34) that could alter the season opening date, require larger escape vents and eliminate spring trap tags, arguing the measures were advanced without enough industry support or consultation.
More than 200 fishermen from Barrington, Argyle and Clark’s Harbour packed an emergency meeting July 29 after learning that a series of recommendations for the LFA 34 commercial lobster fishery had been forwarded to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Minister Joanne Thompson. Some fishermen described the group behind the recommendations as a “secret committee” and questioned the transparency of the process.
“Nothing about these meetings have been up front,” said Marty Atwood, a Cape Sable Island port representative who serves on the LFA 34 advisory committee.
The recommendations stem from an LFA 34 sustainability project launched in 2025 with support from DFO and are aimed at improving the fishery’s financial sustainability and lobster stock recruitment.
Among the most immediate proposals for the 2026-27 season is establishing Dec. 1 as a fixed opening date, replacing the current opening on the last Monday of November when weather permits. The recommendations would also phase in three oversized 1 7/8-inch escape vents on lobster traps and eliminate spring tag allotments, maintaining a 375-pot limit throughout the season.
Other proposals include establishing a combined financial and biological Target Reference Point that could trigger predetermined management measures through a Harvest Control Rule, along with stronger enforcement and penalties targeting illegal lobster harvesting.
Atwood told fishermen the proposals had previously failed to gain support during meetings he attended but nevertheless reached the federal fisheries minister.
“If we don’t start fighting back for the only fishery we got, we’re probably going to lose it,” Atwood said.
Fishermen also questioned why LFA 34 is being considered for changes while neighboring LFAs 33, 35 and 41 are not. Illegal summer lobster fishing and what harvesters described as inadequate enforcement were also major concerns raised at the meeting.
A petition circulated among license holders stressed that fishermen are not opposed to conservation measures but want additional research, consultation and discussion before changes are made that could significantly affect the fishery.
DFO said no management changes have been approved.
Debbie Buott-Matheson, manager of strategic communications for DFO’s Maritimes Region, said the department supported a group of LFA 34 harvesters in 2025 as they developed recommendations for improving the fishery’s long-term sustainability. Those proposals were presented and discussed at two LFA 34 Advisory Committee meetings in June.
“However, more conversation and focused consultation are required to determine next steps,” Buott-Matheson said, adding that no management changes have been made as a result of the proposals.
The dispute comes as fishermen and managers grapple with declining landings in one of Canada’s most valuable lobster fisheries. Dan Fleck, executive director of the Brazil Rock 33/34 Lobster Association, said LFA 34 lobster landings have fallen about 50 percent over the past decade.
“A lot of people do identify something needs to be done,” Fleck said. “Exactly what needs to be done or what’s next… something needs to occur to get this stabilized.”
LFA 34 has 978 license holders. Preliminary DFO statistics show fishermen landed 14,742 metric tons of lobster during the 2024-25 season, valued at approximately $349 million.
