Canada to issue new exploratory lobster fishing licenses to protect stock

The Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, Diane Lebouthillier, has announced the issue of new exploratory fishing licenses to assess the capacity of lobster stocks in Quebec, Canada.

The continuation of the data acquisition plan, which will take place starting in the spring of 2025, will support additional catches and ensure the responsible development of the lobster fishery.

In Lobster Fishing Area 17 in Anticosti, 18 exploratory fishing licenses will be issued to First Nations and commercial fish harvesters in the North Shore, Magdalen Islands, Gaspésie, and Lower St. Lawrence regions. In Lobster Fishing Area 19 in Gaspésie, 31 new licenses will be gradually issued to First Nations and commercial harvesters.

"First Nations and industry will be at sea in Anticosti and Gaspésie to participate in the exploratory lobster fishery, collect important data, and create economic benefits for all coastal regions in Quebec," detailed Lebouthillier.

According to the Government, the number of licenses can be adjusted upwards to benefit more fishermen by reducing the number of traps per harvester and maintaining the total planned fishing effort.

Finally, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) will give priority to First Nations and fleets in difficulty when allocating licenses.

Already in May, the Canadian government approved 25 new exploratory lobster fishing licenses in Quebec. DFO confirmed data collection is crucial to determine whether an increase in commercial fishing efforts is sustainable in the long term.